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Board of Trustees

Presidential Search Process

The Board of Trustees is charged with conducting a comprehensive national search, in partnership with an executive search firm, to identify and appoint the next President of MTSU. This process will follow established best practices to attract a robust, highly qualified pool of candidates, ensure a thorough and transparent evaluation, and position the University to secure an exceptional leader.

  • A Presidential Search Committee, consisting of the entire Board of Trustees plus retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, MTSU’s senior advisor for veterans and leadership initiatives, has been appointed and organized.
  • The Presidential Search committee will work with an executive search firm, Los Angeles-based Korn Ferry, to develop the position profile, advertising, recruitment, and due diligence/background references of the candidates.
  • Throughout the search process, the Board Chair will confer with the search firm to mark the progress of the search and will provide timely updates to the Presidential Search Committee.
  • The search firm, in collaboration with the Presidential Search Committee, will engage a broad range of stakeholders to gather input and inform the search.
  • A dedicated webpage for the search has been launched on MTSU.edu to provide information about the process and search progress. It will be updated regularly as the search progresses.
  • The Presidential Search Committee will conduct a thorough review of applicant materials to identify candidates for initial interviews, with support from the search firm. The Committee will then interview selected candidates to further evaluate their qualifications and alignment with the university’s leadership priorities.
  • The Presidential Search Committee may advance up to three (3) unranked finalists for consideration.
  • No later than fifteen (15) calendar days before the final vote of the Board of Trustees to fill the position, records relating exclusively to the advancing candidate(s) shall be open for public inspection, except for a record otherwise confidential under state or federal law.
  • No later than seven (7) calendar days before a meeting at which the Board will vote to fill the position, the Board will hold at least one (1) public forum with the finalist(s). Finalist(s) will also visit the University to meet with a variety of institutional leaders, representatives, faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders. Finalist(s) will also visit the University to meet with a variety of institutional leaders, representatives, faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders.
  • The Board will vote to fill the position in a public meeting conducted in compliance with the Tennessee Open Meetings Act (Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-44-101 et seq.).

The search will take place on the following estimated timeline:

  • : The Board of Trustees approved the search process, timeline, and a statement of qualifications for the position.
  • : The Presidential Search Committee, consisting of the entire Board of Trustees plus retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, MTSU’s senior advisor for veterans and leadership initiatives, was appointed and organized. Trustees also approved the hiring of an executive search firm, Los Angeles-based Korn Ferry.
  • August/September 2026: The Presidential Search Committee, in collaboration with the search firm, will engage key University stakeholders to gather input. The position profile will be finalized, recruitment materials will be released, and active candidate outreach will begin.
  • October 2026: The Presidential Search Committee will review applications, identify candidates for further consideration, and conduct initial interviews.
  • November/December 2026: Selected finalist(s) will be invited to campus for interviews and public forums. The Board of Trustees will convene in a called meeting to select and appoint the President.

The successful candidate will combine strategic, visionary leadership with operational discipline to ensure that the University continues to adapt to evolving educational, economic, and workforce needs, guiding MTSU confidently into its next era of growth and distinction.

The successful candidate will bring a record of distinguished executive leadership and a demonstrated capacity to lead a complex, public institution as its chief executive officer. Reporting directly to the Board of Trustees, the President will exhibit the vision, judgment, and collaborative leadership necessary to advance the University’s mission, strengthen its academic reputation, and enhance its institutional impact.

The President will demonstrate exceptional interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills, with a proven ability to build trust and collaborate across a broad range of constituencies, including students, faculty, and staff. They will be a visible, ethical leader committed to public higher education who fosters a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability across the institution. They will champion initiatives that improve student success; support outstanding teaching, research, and scholarship; and ensure that academic programs align with workforce and societal needs.

The successful candidate will be an effective University ambassador, with a proven ability to build and sustain strong relationships with state, local, and federal leaders, alumni, donors, industry partners, and community stakeholders. The ability to navigate complex political and regulatory environments is critical, as is the capacity to advance the University’s interests with credibility and effectiveness. Additionally, the successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience in leading comprehensive advancement efforts, possessing the ability to cultivate relationships to support strategic priorities.

The ideal candidate will possess substantial experience working with governing boards, leading large and complex organizations, and managing significant financial resources. They will demonstrate a strong ability to operate effectively within shared governance structures while ensuring organizational clarity, accountability, and alignment with institutional priorities. This leader will demonstrate the ability to implement Board directives, provide consistent and transparent reporting on institutional performance, and communicate the University’s mission and value proposition clearly and persuasively to varied audiences.

The successful candidate will possess significant executive-level management experience, including a demonstrated capacity to make strategic decisions affecting complex organizations. This includes providing clear direction and oversight to ensure effective, efficient operations, appropriately delegating authority while maintaining accountability, and demonstrating strong business acumen. A thorough understanding of financial management, including budgeting and financial reporting, is required to ensure sound fiscal stewardship and long-term sustainability.

While the successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency across all desired qualifications, we recognize that professional strengths often vary across competencies. We welcome candidates whose experience and expertise may be particularly strong in some qualification areas and developing in others, provided they demonstrate the aptitude, commitment, and willingness to continue growing and expanding their capabilities.

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