President

Eastern Illinois University (EIU) invites applications and nominations for the position of president. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the president serves as the chief executive officer of the university. The president is responsible for all operations of the university, including overall leadership and management of the institution, its academic enterprise, a Division 1 athletics program, fundraising and mobilization of all constituents including faculty, alumni, staff, students, community, corporate, foundation and local and state government leaders to meet the institutional and regional goals. The president will lead the continuing transformation of the university as it achieves further academic advances and propel the institution among the state’s top choice for  universities. Under the president’s leadership, university affairs are conducted in keeping with state laws and the policies and procedures established by the board.

EIU seeks an individual who will continue to advance the university’s mission of offering superior accessible undergraduate and graduate education while maintaining a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, fostering student-faculty scholarship and applied learning experiences, and maintaining a student-centered campus culture.

The ideal candidate will display the following important attributes:

  • Expertise in leadership, financial management, strategic planning and legislative relations

 

  • A resilient problem solver who can successfully implement innovative solutions to respond to the challenges facing universities today

 

  • A successful record of academic leadership and executive experience

 

  • A strong commitment to student success and innovative teaching practices involving students of every intersectional cultural background

 

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated track record in collaborating with faculty, students, staff, alumni and community stakeholders to achieve the university’s mission

 

  • An inclusive approach to management and leadership, including an ethic of care and a commitment to excellence in recruiting, retaining and developing a diverse faculty and leadership team

 

  • Experience working with diverse student populations and an ability to communicate with and understand the needs of students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels

 

  • Experience managing and establishing priorities for complex budgets and a demonstrated ability to introduce and implement innovating funding initiatives

 

  • Understanding of  major fundraising initiatives and an ability to represent the university compellingly with stakeholders, alumni and donors

 

  • An ability to communicate effectively and build partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, union representatives, alumni, donors, business leaders and state policymakers 

 

  • A strong commitment to shared governance and a willingness to circulate widely and listen carefully, including a commitment to collaboration and transparency in decision-making

 

  • A commitment to, experience with, and understanding of the importance and significance of community engagement and the ability to collaborate effectively on region-wide initiatives

 

  • A dedicated advocate for EIU with city and state government and business partners

 

  • Preference will be given to candidates with an earned doctorate or appropriate terminal degree in an academic discipline as well as academic credentials that will earn the respect of faculty

 

NOMINATION AND APPLICATION PROCESS

Greenwood/Asher & Associates, LLC is assisting Eastern Illinois University in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. For a full application package, please submit a cover letter, CV, diversity statement, and list of five references. Confidential inquiries, nominations and application materials should be directed to Greenwood/Asher & Associates. Submission of application materials as PDF attachments is strongly encouraged. The search will be conducted with a commitment of confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made.

Please direct inquiries, nominations, and application materials to:

 

Betty Turner Asher, Founder, Greenwood/Asher & Associates

E-mail: bettyasher@greenwoodsearch.com

 

Julie Schrodt, Senior Executive Search Consultant

E-mail: julieschrodt@greenwoodsearch.com

 

Eastern Illinois University is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer – minority/female/disability/veteran – committed to achieving a diverse community.

 

The material presented in this leadership profile should be relied on for informational purposes only. This material has been copied, compiled, or quoted in part from Eastern Illinois University documents and personal interviews and is believed to be reliable. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, the original source documents and factual situations govern.