President

Principia College is the only institution of higher education exclusively for Christian Scientists. Focused on its mission to serve the Cause of Christian Science, Principia has, since its founding in 1898, been a community of practice where all members are students, teachers, and healers. The College now seeks a President to lead it forward into an era of increasing impact and prosperity.

The College’s parent organization, The Principia, consists of Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, and Principia School, a day and boarding school serving preschool through grade 12 in St. Louis, Missouri, 45 miles from the College campus. Together, the School and College provide a full-service educational experience for Christian Scientists; approximately 60 percent of graduates of the Upper School enroll at the College. The President of the College, like his or her counterpart at the School, reports to Principia’s Chief Executive, a role recently assumed by Marshall Ingwerson, former Editor of The Christian Science Monitor. Principia’s Board of Trustees provides governance and is accountable for the fiduciary health of Principia, including management of a substantial endowment that benefits the School and College. The College’s 67 full-time and 07 part-time faculty educate a student body currently numbering 480, with room to grow, in an environment that is exceptionally focused on student success. Principia’s close community enables strong interpersonal relations between faculty, students, and staff, all of whom share the common bond of Christian Science.

Principia College’s new President will be an active and engaged Christian Scientist who has benefited from Christian Science class instruction and possesses an earned terminal degree, preferably with a record of teaching and scholarship commensurate with an appointment to the College faculty. Exceptionally student-centric, the President will be an outstanding communicator with a track record of success as a leader and manager of people and programs, strong financial skills, and an open, accessible, and transparent leadership style. Candidates with strong histories of collaboration across and between institutions will be at a particular advantage, along with those with successful track records raising private funds. Principia boasts a significant international student population (approximately 20 percent of the student body) and a strong study abroad program, and thus a President with international experience and a global perspective is highly desirable. In keeping with the ethos of the College, the President will demonstrate a history of inclusive and unifying leadership, humility, decisiveness, willingness to stand on principle, and a sense of humor.

The new President of Principia College will lead this singular institution through one of the most interesting and exciting periods of its storied history, making a lasting impact on both the College and the community it serves.

A full position description can be found here: www.wittkieffer.com. Recruitment will continue through the summer months, and selected candidates will be invited to interact with the search committee early in the 2017–2018 academic year. It is anticipated that the new President will assume office in the summer of 2018. For fullest consideration, candidate materials including a cover letter, curriculum vitae/resume, and the names and contact information for at least five references should be received by August 11, 2017. References will not be contacted without the consent of the candidates. Nominations, referrals, and candidate materials should be sent electronically to the Witt/Kieffer consultants supporting this search, Amy Crutchfield and Dennis M. Barden, at PrincipiaPresident@wittkieffer.com. 

Confidential inquiries and questions may be directed to the consultants supporting this search at 630.575.6152.

Principia bases its hiring, assignments, and promotions on competence, effectiveness, and demonstrated character, without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, or age.