President

Old Dominion University enjoys an enviable track record of student success, groundbreaking research and service to its community. To build on this record of achievement, the University seeks its next president.

Capitalizing on the momentum the University has generated under retiring incumbent John R. Broderick, Old Dominion is optimally positioned to thrive in the emerging new normal of higher education. With a long and accomplished history of leveraging innovative pedagogies in service to a laudably diverse student body and a research program focused on issues challenging its region, the nation and the world, Old Dominion is the very model of the modern university. Its new president will inherit opportunities on multiple fronts to broaden its impact, outstanding relationships in the community and the legislature of the Commonwealth and a growing national reputation catalyzed in part by a successful NCAA Division I athletic program. In the last 12 years, Old Dominion has raised more than $1 billion in new public and private resources, including the largest gift in the University’s history, a $37 million donation to create the Barry Art Museum.

Old Dominion seeks an entrepreneurial, innovative leader with excellent business acumen, one able to lead the University in setting its vision for the future and its strategic plan. As would be expected, the president will be dedicated to student success and to the value of scholarly research. Possessing an understanding of higher education's current circumstances and the trends that will impact the sector over the next many years, the president will be a person of high emotional intelligence, a powerfully effective communicator and sincere relationship builder, and an inclusive, collaborative and decisive decision-maker who is willing to challenge orthodoxies to set a bold course for the institution.  The president must emphasize the central importance of inclusive excellence and strive to achieve the best possible climate, practices, and outcomes with respect to diversity, equity and inclusion. The ability to obtain and maintain federal facilities security clearance is required.

Old Dominion and its new president will be positioned to flourish in all aspects of its tripartite mission of transformative teaching and learning, scholarly excellence and meaningful service to its multiple communities.

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.

WittKieffer is assisting Old Dominion University in this search, which will remain open until an appointment is made. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by November 20, 2020. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal. A detailed leadership profile is available at www.wittkieffer.com.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Dennis Barden, Robin Mamlet, John McFarland & Veena Abraham, J.D.

ODUPresident@wittkieffer.com

It is the policy of Old Dominion University to provide equal employment, educational and social opportunities for all persons, without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation or genetic information. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.