PRESIDENT

VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY

PRESIDENT

Valparaiso University, an independent, Doctoral/Professional University with a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum in Valparaiso, Indiana, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of president.

Founded in 1859, Valparaiso University was rechartered in 1925 by a group of Lutheran clergy and laymen. Though strongly shaped by the Lutheran tradition, it is independent of any church body and is welcoming of those from all faith traditions. Valpo is nationally recognized for the quality and innovative character of its academic programs. It has been consistently ranked among the top five universities in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report, and is consistently recognized nationally for the quality of its undergraduate teaching.

The University offers 70 undergraduate degree programs and 40 graduate degree and certificate programs including doctoral degrees in nursing practice and occupational therapy. It currently enrolls more than 3,000 undergraduates and over 500 graduate students. These students are taught by over 300 full-time faculty, creating an 11:1 student/ faculty ratio and an average class size of 21.

The University consists of five colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest of the five; the AACSB-accredited College of Business; the College of Engineering, ranked 13th in the nation; the College of Nursing and Health Professions; and Christ College, the third-oldest honors college in the nation. It has satellite study centers in Cambridge, England; Hangzhou, China; San José, Costa Rica; and Reutlingen, Germany.

True teacher/scholars, Valpo’s faculty have a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching, including many one-on-one and out-of-class teaching opportunities. At the same time, they have a long history of pedagogical and programmatic innovation that has enabled Valpo to be a national leader in many areas. They are also engaged researchers, scholars, artists, performers, and practitioners, many of whom have national and international reputations.

Valpo’s students have a long history of activism and engagement. Many years ago, the University’s student-led Honor Code was developed by students, and the engineering degree was reinstated as a result of student initiative. This engagement continues today and takes the form of a strong commitment to service reflective of the University’s mission “to prepare students to lead and serve in church and society.” The typical Valpo student voluntarily provides an average of 55 hours of organized service annually.

Approximately two-thirds of Valpo’s students live on campus. More than 100 clubs and organizations become a rich part of their co-curricular education and experience. The University hosts an NCAA Division I athletic program that is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference.

The University’s nearly 300-acre campus consists largely of new and state-of-the-art facilities anchored by the Chapel of the Resurrection. This sustained renewal of the campus was begun in 2004 and has totaled more than $280 million. This has been possible because of the generosity of Valpo’s supporters. The University is currently engaged in a $250-million campaign, Forever Valpo: The Campaign for Our Future, and is expected to exceed that goal prior to its scheduled conclusion in June 2021.

Valparaiso University’s next president will have the opportunity to lead this remarkable community into the next chapter of its history, sustaining the University’s mission, its Lutheran ethos, and its characteristic excellence, while continuing the University’s tradition of innovation and fostering an inclusive culture that welcomes people from diverse backgrounds and faiths. This will entail engaging the University community in strategic planning, continuing its strong advancement effort, and meeting the enrollment challenges it faces.

The ideal candidate to be Valpo’s next president will have successful academic and administrative leadership experience in higher education; a genuine Christian faith; experience with advancement, enrollment management, and strategic planning; financial acumen; and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The University will look to the new president as a strong advocate for Valpo’s mission and ethos, and as a leader in working with the University community to refine the University’s identity as one of America’s finest faith-based universities.

For full consideration, applications should be received by January 2, 2020.

For further information and instructions to applicants, please review the prospectus.

The search is being assisted by AGB Search. Inquiries and nominations should be sent to ValpoPres@agbsearch.com  or directed to:

 

Loren Anderson, PhD

Executive Search Consultant

loren.anderson@agbsearch.com

253-223-3566

 

Kim Bobby, EdD

Executive Search Consultant

kim.bobby@agbsearch.com

253-861-7738

 

Robert Holyer, PhD

Executive Search Consultant

robert.holyer@agbsearch.com

804-708-0834 (office)

804-402-6736 (cell)

All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be held in strictest confidence; references will not be contacted without the applicant’s expressed permission.

Valparaiso University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

See  https://www.valpo.edu/general-counsel/policies/equal-opportunity-policy/ for a detailed statement of its practices.