President
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV - United States
West Virginia University (WVU) is excited to embark on the search for its 27th President and seeks an inspirational leader to help forge a path forward as a land-grant institution and the flagship university of the state. WVU’s next President must embody its commitment to its land-grant mission and the vital role WVU plays in the state, demonstrate substantial understanding of public higher education administration and model an unwavering dedication to lead in alignment with WVU’s values.
Located in the heart of Appalachia, a region rich in natural resources and cultural heritage, WVU exemplifies service to the state, region and nation with a mission focused on education, research and collaboration. Founded in 1867, WVU has long dedicated itself to building a better future for West Virginia and the world. The WVU System is a family of distinctive campuses that are united by a single mission and that range from its R1 flagship in Morgantown to the student-centered focus of WVU Potomac State College in Keyser and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Institute of Technology in Beckley. WVU also includes Health Sciences campuses in Charleston and Martinsburg, as well as seven farms and five forests throughout the state, WVU Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp, the WVU Extension Service and WVU Online. Altogether, WVU enrolls a diverse student body of over 24,000 from 50 states, every West Virginia County and 115 nations and is home to over 3,100 faculty and more than 3,000 staff. More information about WVU and the presidential search including the presidential leadership profile can be found at https://presidentialsearch.wvu.edu.
The President of West Virginia University is the Chief Executive Officer of the University, reports to a 17-member Board of Governors and oversees a budget of approximately $1.3 billion. As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, WVU’s leader must lean into the challenges and opportunities ahead. The ideal candidate must demonstrate the experience and capacity to lead a complex, statewide research university and to engage the entire community in manifesting a positive, compelling vision for the University’s and the state’s future. In addition, the President is expected to forge strong relationships built on trust and transparency and to secure the resources necessary to carry out WVU’s mission and support its students, faculty and staff. The President must foster strategic collaborations and partnerships among industry, government and community organizations in order to enhance research, innovation and economic development initiatives while ensuring that WVU is a welcoming campus environment for all students, faculty and staff. The next President also will be expected to develop and maintain financial and enrollment sustainability, identify opportunities for innovation and explore alternative revenue prospects that benefit the WVU community and the state. Above all, the President must be a tireless advocate for student access and success, academic excellence, the health and well-being of the WVU community and the state of West Virginia’s economic growth and prosperity.
All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile. Review of candidate materials will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled. For optimal consideration, please submit materials by December 5, 2024. WittKieffer is assisting West Virginia University with this search. Applications, nominations and inquiries can be directed to WittKieffer consultants Melody Rose, Ph.D., Lucy A. Leske and Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, Ph.D. at [email protected].