The Search Process
The Shepherd University Board of Governors adopted a set of procedures for the 2025-26 Presidential Search. The process features:
- Form a search committee and hire a consultant to assist with the search. [Completed]
- Gather feedback from university employees, students, and community members on the desired qualities of Shepherd University’s next president. [Completed]
- Based on this input, a draft Presidential Profile/Statement of Leadership is developed. [Completed]
- Prepare position announcement and post in appropriate outlets, such as the Chronicle of Higher Education. [Completed]
- Consultant screens applicants for minimum qualifications and completes two lists: a: Those meeting the minimum qualifications and b: Those that don’t (with reasons listed for each candidate). [Completed]
- Search committee reviews screened applicants and selects up to ten semi-finalists, whose references are checked by the consultant. [Completed]
- Search committee interviews semi-finalists at a neutral off-campus location (Completed).
- Search committee determines 4-6 finalist candidates who are each invited to the campus for interviews.
- Search committee reviews input and sends its recommendations (up to three unranked finalists) to the Board of Governors for its review.
- Board of Governors selects the desired finalist. It may determine the order of back-up if the first choice is unavailable.
- Optional: Visit to the successful candidate’s campus/place of work
- Finalist signs a contract with a mutually agreed-upon starting date.
Presidential Profile and Advertisement
The Search Committee
- Search Committee Chair: Austin J. Slater, Jr.
- Search Committee Vice Chair: Susan Mentzer-Blair
- James M. Cherry, Ph.D.
- Amy L. DeWitt, Ph.D.
- Melanie Ford
- Tyler Furbee
- Chad Hartman
- Andrew Patterson
- Laura Robertson, Ph.D.
- Danielle Stephenson
- Search Committee Consultant: Dr. Brad Gottfried
Staff support: General Counsel, Alan Perdue