President

Grand View University announces a national search for a President inviting nominations and applications for this opportunity to exercise bold, visionary and engaged leadership at a vibrant, affordable institution in Des Moines, Iowa’s contemporary capital city. For the last two decades, under the leadership of President Kent Henning, the institution has undergone a dramatic transformation in virtually every aspect of the University including the addition of undergraduate and graduate programs, growth of athletic programs and exciting facility renewal and expansion.

 

Using its considerable financial expertise, Grand View developed GV Complete, a completely transparent and straightforward approach to college affordability and financing that has catalyzed the institution into a disruptive higher education force. Grand View is indeed well positioned to respond to the public’s concerns about the value of a university education.

Grand View, founded in 1896 by members of the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a private, not-for-profit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees and accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. With nearly 1,600 students, an average class size of 16, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1, students establish value-added relationships with professors and fellow students.

Grand View welcomes students from 41 states and 44 countries. It is also one of the most diverse private universities in Iowa, with 26% of incoming freshmen from diverse populations.

The University has also grown dramatically in physical sense since 2000, from a campus of about 25 acres to one that encompasses 66 acres. Exciting new and renovated spaces support learning and enhance the student experience.

 

Grand View University is on a quest to find an innovative, visionary leader to serve as its 14th President. Over the last two decades, this special institution has blazed a remarkable trail of transformation and aims to build on that foundation to scale even higher pinnacles of success.

 

The next President will embrace the centrality of the academic program and will evidence a love of learning worthy of emulation. They will be firmly committed to shared governance and consultation with stakeholders as well as a decisive management style.

 

The new President will be an academic entrepreneur who collaborates with colleagues and the Board of Trustees to seize opportunities for new curricular and co-curricular programmatic offerings that reflect the dynamic nature of employer priorities and the higher education marketplace. Student recruitment and persistence will be a major priority for the next President and the successful candidate must demonstrate a track record of accomplishment in or high aptitude for this vital area. Potential new markets and student populations are integral to Grand View’s continued success.

 

While successful senior leadership experience in a small, private college or university is a plus, Grand View welcomes accomplished leaders from other higher education sectors as well as other professional walks of life, provided they fulfill the desired qualities, attributes and credentials as outlined in the Search Profile and fully embrace Grand View’s mission and purpose. If that is the case, a terminal degree will enhance such a candidacy, but it is not required. The next President must hold an advanced degree.

 

Pursuant to the University Bylaws, the President shall be Lutheran and/or willing and able to understand, appreciate and preserve Grand View’s practices and values that are rooted in its Lutheran heritage, including the ideals of Lutheran Higher education. The President shall also give attention to the religious life of the University.

 

The search profile may be found at: https://www.agbsearch.com/searches/president-grand-view-university or https://www.grandview.edu/careers-at-gv

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

 

Nominations and expressions of interest may be submitted electronically to: GrandViewPresident@agbsearch.com. Candidates are asked to submit electronically in MS Word or Adobe PDF: (1) a letter of interest reflecting on the leadership attributes as outlined in the Search Profile, (2) a CV, and (3) the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of five references.

 

References will not be contacted without first securing the permission of the candidate. The University welcomes the candidacies of women and persons from diverse populations. To receive full consideration, materials should be received on or before January 12, 2022. The next President will be invited to assume office on or about July 1, 2022.

 

Please direct inquiries to:

 

Frederick V.  Moore, J.D., MBA

Executive Search Consultant, AGB Search

712-299-2544 (cell)

fred.moore@agbsearch.com

           

Melinda M. Leonardo, Ph. D.                       

Executive Search Consultant, AGB Search     

(919) 280-4901 (cell) 

melinda.leonardo@agbsearch.com

 

Additional information about Grand View University may be found at  www.grandview.edu  

 

Grand View University is committed to providing equal access to its educational programs, activities and facilities to all otherwise qualified students and job applicants without discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected by applicable state or federal law. An Equal Opportunity employer, the University also affirms its commitment to nondiscrimination in its employment policies and practices