PRESIDENT SEARCH PROFILE AN INVITATION TO OUR NEXT PRESIDENT is seeking a visionary leader to become its thirteenth president and build on the incredible momentum of the University over the last 20 years. The successful candidate will succeed President John Reynders, who has led Morningside College, now University, with high distinction for more than two decades.

This exciting opportunity is ideal for a leader who has an entrepreneurial spirit; understanding of the higher education landscape, and a desire to take on the opportunities and challenges it presents; is prepared to help the University take on its next chapter of planning and growth; and who can embrace and embody the spirit of innovation, connectedness, and community that is so pervasive within the Morningside campus.

Morningside desires an ambitious leader who will keep students at the heart of its work while encouraging faculty and staff to continue the University’s tradition of excellence and innovation. As a small campus, Morningside’s leader is an important reflection of the campus culture and brand. Being seen and heard as an active part of both the Morningside and Siouxland community is critical.

Supporting the new president is a talented, dedicated, and action-oriented board of directors, leadership team, faculty, and staff who are fiercely devoted to students, alumni, and friends of Morningside. The new president will be surrounded by this strong, capable group of professionals as they look to embrace the new chief executive and help ensure their success. These individuals stand ready to work closely with the new leader as they gets to know alumni, donors, and friends and sets the foundation for their tenure.

The next president will bring a wealth of successful leadership experience, evidenced by a track record of collaboratively crafting and articulating a compelling shared vision. The president will be adept at inspiring the campus community to act on that strategic intent.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values for Morningside that will be key priorities for the new president.

It is preferred that the successful candidate hold a terminal degree and have substantial higher education or other relevant experience. 2 ABOUT US CONTENTS 02 The Invitation Welcome to Morningside University Morningside University is a private, four-year liberal arts university 03 About Us located in Sioux City, . Founded in 1894, the University has a rich history of academics, arts, athletics, and active learning. Morningside 04 Background offers both undergraduate and graduate coursework and is affiliated with 06 Points of Pride The . 10 Sioux City Mission Statement The Morningside University experience cultivates a passion for lifelong 12 Opportunities & learning and a dedication to ethical leadership and civic responsibility. Challenges

15 Qualifications Vision Statement 16 Nominations & The University is a student-centered participatory community, offering Applications a liberal arts curriculum combined with a diverse array of practical experiences. The goal is the development of the whole person through an emphasis on critical thinking, effective communication, cultural understanding, practical wisdom, spiritual discernment, and ethical action. The Morningside University graduate is equipped for both personal and professional success. USEFUL LINKS

Morningside Website

Morningside Athletics Website

Morningside Academic Information

2020-2021 Fact Book

Morningside Board of Directors

Morningside Undergraduate Tuition, Room, & Board

3 BACKGROUND

BUILDING ON TWO DECADES OF MOMENTUM Morningside University is widely acclaimed as one of the great success stories in private higher education. It is located in Sioux City, Iowa, and recognized for providing undergraduate students with exceptional active and experiential learning experiences on a beautiful residential campus. The University is also well regarded for its online graduate coursework, flexible post-baccalaureate options, and an online bachelor’s degree completion program.

Morningside offers more than 65 areas of study for undergraduates, as well as graduate programs in education and nursing. This includes a fully online Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Total enrollment is more than 2,400 students from nearly all 50 states and almost 20 countries. Amazingly, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University recruited its fourth largest undergraduate class in history. Morningside offers robust study abroad and May Term programs that give students the ability to personalize their education and access a global network of opportunities.

The University has enjoyed two decades of significant change, growth, and success that include achieving record enrollment numbers, exceeding goals for two historic multi-year fundraising campaigns that raised nearly $127 million and resulted in $70 million in campus improvements, and increasing varsity athletics to 28 teams that routinely compete for conference and national honors. Considering that Iowa is one of the nation’s most competitive higher education marketplaces, Morningside’s achievements are even more noteworthy.

The University is located on a picturesque 69-acre campus in the heart of Iowa’s fourth largest city, offering students a safe and serene setting, as well as quick access to a thriving community with many professional and personal 4 BACKGROUND

opportunities. Morningside is proud to serve as a regional resource for the Siouxland area, offering theatrical and music performances to the public; hosting public events, political debates and nearly every major U.S. presidential candidate of the last two decades; and providing many other activities, camps, and services.

A vital component of carrying out Morningside’s mission is providing outstanding active and experiential learning for students across all disciplines. This work is accomplished through project-based learning, skills labs, travel, the Morningside May Term program, encouraged participation in co-curricular activities, and much more. Such learning allows students to become more well-rounded and engaged with the larger world.

Perhaps what most sets Morningside apart is the strong sense of connectedness on campus. Students are ardent supporters of one another in all activities, and faculty and staff are among students’ biggest fans. When asked what word best describes Morningside, those who know it frequently say “home” or “family.” It’s a welcoming and wonderful thing to be part of this engaged community of learners.

Morningside employs more than 250 people full-time, including 74 full-time faculty members for its graduate and undergraduate programs. Morningside faculty are committed to their work, with 72% holding the most advanced degree in their field. The University’s faculty also includes about 160 well-credentialed adjunct professors.

Morningside offers competitive compensation packages for both faculty and staff. It also offers employee awards and recognition programs for faculty and staff, some of which include significant financial incentives. The University is fully accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC). 5 2,411 Total Students

1,157 Undergraduate Students

1,254 Graduate Students 74 Full-Time Faculty POINTS OF PRIDE A Tradition of Excellence Over the last two decades, the pursuit of excellence has been at the center 162 of nearly all Morningside’s work. It has resulted in a period of growth and change for Morningside that rival any in the University’s history. Part-Time Faculty Academics Morningside undergraduate programs offer a wide array of active learning opportunities that provide students with ample opportunity to personalize 189 their learning. As a result, students are traveling, researching, and exploring Total Staff new ideas more than ever before. Additionally, Morningside has seen tremendous growth in its graduate programs over the last two decades. The decision to move Graduate Education online more than 10 years ago resulted in enrollment in that program growing to a point where graduate students 13,153 now exceed undergraduate students. This was bolstered by the addition of an online graduate nursing program in 2015, which most recently expanded to Living Undergraduate add an online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and RN to BSN. Alumni Co-Curricular Activities A decision to move Morningside from the NCAA Division II to the NAIA more than two decades ago has resulted in incredible success for 17.6% Morningside Mustang athletics, which is now part of the Great Plains Athletic Students of Color Conference (GPAC). The athletics department is home to 28 sports, and student athletes have helped amass a wealth of individual and team titles. This includes two recent national football championships, more than a dozen GPAC titles in just the last two years, and a variety of national and conference honors for students’ academic and athletic performances.

6 In addition to athletics, the Morningside University School of Visual & Performing Arts offers students a wealth of opportunity to pursue vocal music, instrumental music, fine arts, and theatre regardless of major. The 99% variety of musical ensembles and student groups makes the campus more One-Year Post-Graduation vibrant, and a number of students have earned both regional and national Job or Graduate School recognition for their talent. Placement Rate Finally, Morningside Student Government, the Morningside Activities Council, and dozens of other clubs and organizations like Active Minds and the Col. Center for Civic Engagement help create a dynamic campus where there is never a shortage of things to do or ways to get involved. 60% Study Abroad & International Travel Six-Year Graduation In the early 2000s, it was perhaps a percentage or two of students who studied Rate abroad or traveled internationally. Today, nearly ten percent of Morningside students choose to embark on global experiences. A required May Term and expanded offerings also allow students to have unique learning experiences. $52M Active Learning April 2021 The growth of internships and externships are giving students more opportunities for real world experiences, and Morningside is striving to Endowment make these active learning experiences happen earlier and more often. Labs and learning tools are used more than ever to engage students. Research is encouraged across disciplines, and initiatives such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) and the Palmer Research $69M+ Symposium give students a platform and resources to explore. Additionally, Largest Campaign in Morn- project-based learning initiatives like Project Siouxland are paving the way ingside History Wrapped in for more innovative ways of teaching and learning. Opportunities abound for Morningside students, and they rival those found at most other universities. 2020

Morningside also offers many on-campus active learning experiences such as the student-run newspaper, The Collegian Reporter; an annual literary and arts magazine, Kiosk; an annual online research magazine, The Morningside $127M Review, a campus radio and television station, and more. Comprehensive Fundraising Total Since 1999 $1.75M+ Unrestricted Funds Raised Annually

7 International Students In addition to having more international travel opportunities for Morningside 18 students, more international students are choosing Morningside than ever Number of Countries before. In 2019, Morningside welcomed nearly 70 international students to Represented By campus. The size and opportunities combined with its safe and welcoming community make Morningside a choice destination for international students, Student Body and international students help create a more diverse community of learners.

The Physical Transformation of Morningside The physical transformation of the campus has been a key to Morningside’s 3 incredible progress. In the early 2000s, Morningside’s campus looked more like Fulbright Award Winners that of a commuter college with its vast array of parking lots and few green spaces and walkways. More than $70 million in physical plant investments over in Last Five Years the last 15 years have resulted in a campus transformed. The campus offers a park-like setting with water features and walkways to create a beautiful and comfortable atmosphere for students.

20,000+ An unintended bonus of this transformation is that the campus has also become Volunteer & Community a destination for the community. It’s arguably one of the most photographed Service Hours Annually places in Siouxland, particularly for homecoming and prom photos, and is a highly desirable spot for community events, political rallies, and weddings. 650+ Graduates Annually 69 Acres of Beautiful Campus 21 Campus Buildings 485 Residence Hall Rooms

8 Fast Facts • Morningside is consistently named to the top half of U.S. News Regional Universities – Midwest. • The University was named to Forbes List of Grateful Grads. • Morningside has had a job and graduate school placement rate of 99% for nearly a decade. • In late 2020, Morningside received two NSF grants totaling about $1.3 million for two projects that enhance STEM programs with integration of more active learning within the region. • The University has completed nearly $70 million in capital improvements over the past 15 years. • The Morningside Vision 2020 capital campaign, with a $50 million goal, wrapped up in May 2020 and raised more than $69 million. • Since 1999, the total dollars raised for Morningside is nearly $127 million. • Morningside boasts one of the best alumni giving rates among Midwest colleges and universities, with nearly 20% of alumni making gifts each year. • Morningside’s Carnegie Classification was changed from “regional college” to “regional university” about five years ago, serving as a major catalyst for the recent name change from Morningside College to Morningside University.

9 SIOUX CITY METRO & SIOUXLAND A “Great Place” to Live & Five-Star Quality of Life The new president will live in the welcoming five-county metropolitan area of 170,000 people, the hub of which is Sioux City, Iowa, home to Morningside University. As one of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs’ inaugural “Great Places,” Sioux City is located on the among the picturesque Loess Hills. The City sits amidst the boundaries of three states - Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska.

Morningside University is proud to be at the center of this warm and welcoming city, offering the best of two worlds: a small campus community with access to most of the amenities you would expect of a large city.

Over the last decade, Sioux City has undergone significant growth and change with a number of major economic development projects in progress and on the horizon. The Sioux City Reinvestment District has spawned a revitalization of the downtown and riverfront area, with more plans for renovations in historic buildings and a proposed performing arts center.

This area, referred to locally as Siouxland, truly serves as a wonderful home for Morningside. The community is incredibly supportive of Morningside students, showing up in droves for events and activities, offering internships and active learning opportunities, employing graduates, and more. It’s a supportive and welcoming environment where the University and its students thrive.

Recent third-party accolades for Sioux City, the region and Iowa include: • SmartAsset.com ranked Sioux City one of the nation’s “Top Ten Most Livable Small Cities.” • In 2019 The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs re-designated Sioux City as an “Iowa Great Place.” • U.S. News and World Report just recognized Iowa as the # 2 “Best State for Opportunity.” • This year Iowa ranked as the # 1 state in the U.S for jobs, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics. • In 2018 Sioux City won a Healthy Hometown Community Award, which recognizes the City for its accomplishments in health improvement initiatives. Cost of Living: The cost of living in Sioux City is well below both the national and Iowa average, with median home prices at $115,000.

Schools: The Sioux City Community School District offers families a wide array of learning options for students, as does the South Sioux City Community School District in Nebraska. Nearby Sergeant Bluff boasts a school district ranked in Iowa’s top 25, and Dakota Valley School District in Dakota Dunes was recently ranked in South Dakota’s top 10 school districts. There are also a number of private school options in the area, including Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools, Siouxland Christian School and St. Paul’s Lutheran School.

Healthcare: Sioux City offers two large hospitals in Unity Point Health – St. Luke’s and MercyOne. Dakota Dunes, S.D., offers a large medical campus with a variety of specialty care options, and South Sioux City recently opened a large, state-of-the- art surgical center. Large research healthcare facilities are only 90 minutes away in Omaha and Sioux Falls.

Retail: Sioux City is home to more than 100 national retailers and locally owned stores, including Target, Fleet Farm, Old Navy, and Scheels.

Sports: In addition to the robust athletics program right on campus, Sioux City is home to a Tier 1 junior ice hockey team called the Sioux City Musketeers, a professional team called the Sioux City Explorers, and a professional indoor football team called the Sioux City Bandits. For active individuals, there is a wide variety of fitness centers, recreation complexes, ice skating rinks, frisbee , recreation leagues, traveling teams, snow tubing, and much more.

Food: Sioux City’s restaurant scene features a wide array of options from highly acclaimed up-scale dining to national chains and vibrant local fare. During warmer weather months, you can also enjoy the Sioux City Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, as well as several area food trucks - including a few that park adjacent to campus.

Outdoors: Sioux City is home to a beautiful state park within its city limits, and several other state parks just a short drive from the city. There are also many other parks and trails throughout the area.

Culture & Entertainment: National music acts, Broadway shows, and other entertainment are frequent headliners in Sioux City. The Orpheum, , and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino regularly bring national acts to the Sioux City area. Sioux City also offers a local symphony and art center.

Travel & Transportation: Sioux City offers an accessible regional airport with daily flights to major international airports including Chicago O’Hare. Additionally, both Sioux Falls and Omaha are a 90-minute drive and offer air travel options. Sioux City also has a variety of public transportation options.

11 OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES The Morningside University Culture Devotion to Students, Freedom to Innovate, Family, Continuous Improvement & Transparency Many institutions of higher learning legitimately claim to exhibit some or all of the characteristics that headline this profile section. What makes Morningside one of the truly great success stories in private higher education is the extent to which they contemporaneously practice all four attributes to create synergies that have proven to be the secret sauce of Morningside’s success. The new president will have an essentially unparalleled opportunity to leverage this healthy organizational culture and propel the Morningside experience to even higher pinnacles of distinction.

The Foundation for Student Success The aforementioned culture and effective leadership have catapulted Morningside University to a new level of success in academic excellence, enrollment management, new program development, fundraising, financial stability, board of director talent, shared governance, co-curricular achievement, and employers’ perception of Morningside University graduates. This foundation and culture offer the next president a platform of strength that will be the envy of colleagues throughout the Midwest.

A Challenging Marketplace Like all small private, enrollment-driven institutions, Morningside University, with all of its considerable strengths, faces challenges. The University faces the same headwinds affecting all of higher education in general and private higher education in particular.

Moreover, its regional and Iowa marketplaces are among the nation’s most competitive, especially due to demographic shifts among high school students. While Morningside University has been successful notwithstanding these obstacles, the new president will need to collaborate with colleagues to examine the wisdom of expanding existing offerings and creating new ones. Examples could include new online offerings, expanded healthcare programs (given the boom in interest during the pandemic), and a response to the significant P-12 educator shortage. In addition, it may well be a timely moment to more fully explore nontraditional offerings such as microcredentialling, badging and certificates.

The other pillar of enrollment is retention and persistence. Morningside has made gains in its six-year graduation rate. The new president should engage their colleagues in examining new strategies that could strengthen other persistence rates.

12 Strategic Planning While enrollment and marketing represent important pillars of a strategic plan, a comprehensive, living document will encompass all functional areas of Morningside University. By the time the new president assumes office, it will be time to initiate the process for a new plan. This timing is perfect for a new leader to work with colleagues to collaboratively chart the course for Morningside University’s future.

Accreditation As the new president arrives in 2022, the next Higher Learning Commission visit will be on the horizon in 2023/24, and the University’s HLC preparations will be well underway. At the same time, accreditation is certainly changing and the president will want to quickly become familiar with the preparations and key issues that will need attention during the review. Morningside University also has specialized accreditations that the president and other campus leaders will oversee.

Facilities & Endowment Morningside University’s campus has been transformed over the past two decades. It is a beautiful place in which to study, learn, live and work. That said, like any institution of higher learning, there are always new capital projects on the agenda. The next president will need to quickly take stock of academic, athletic, and residence life needs as the initial step toward formulating the next capital campaign. In addition, the University’s endowment market value stands at a respectable $52 million and has grown in recent years. Endowment growth is a likely candidate for a plank in the next campaign.

Town & Gown Morningside enjoys a strong town and gown relationship with the Sioux City metro area. Project Siouxland is but one example of such a partnership. At the same time, the campus community acknowledges that there could be stronger engagement with the broader community. The new president and their colleagues will have the chance to brainstorm about new ways the University could expand its reach into the community.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion The nation is experiencing a sea change as it comes to grips with centuries of discrimination and recent incidents of racial violence. The University has responded well with a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee that President Reynders has charged with developing recommendations to make Morningside University an even more welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds. A new Director of DEI has also been hired.

Some specific ideas being considered by faculty, staff, and students on these subjects includes using data analytics to identify student equity achievement gaps; more aggressive recruitment of diverse students, faculty and staff; as well as other proposals. The new president will be able to dialogue with stakeholders and the Committee to craft a plan for enhancing DEI at Morningside University. Pandemic Response While it is difficult to forecast exactly what the physical and mental health conditions will be in 2022, it seems that COVID-19 will at least be a continuing factor in our society. Morningside University has handled the pandemic well thanks to excellent preparation and planning, and maintained in-person education throughout the 2020-2021 academic year. The new president will inherit a battle-tested team around them, ready to respond.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Morningside University has been able to function and succeed despite an ERP that is aging with limited capabilities. Few users of the current system are left, so it is likely that one of the president’s tasks will be to explore the possibility of a technological upgrade, though such an acquisition will be a significant investment. A new system will enhance student recruitment, student service, and the quality of work life. Leadership Morningside is fortunate to have a Board of Directors, Leadership Team, faculty, and staff that is talented, dedicated, action-oriented, and deeply devoted to students. The new president will be surrounded by strong capable professionals who will be ready to embrace the next chief executive and help ensure their success.

14 CREDENTIALS

A terminal degree with substantial higher education leadership experience (or other relevant experience) is preferred. DESIRED ATTRIBUTES & EXPERIENCES • Senior leadership experience in a small, private, liberal arts college or university or other relevant experience. • A commitment to academic excellence and learning both within and beyond the classroom, with a “students first” approach • Dedication to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion and to ensuring that Morningside is a welcoming place that values individuals from a wide array of backgrounds • Financial savvy and the ability to effectively prioritize the allocation of resources • A commitment to a breadth of academic areas and the interdisciplinary connections across various areas • A deep understanding of the value that Athletics, the Fine/Performing Arts, and other curricular and co- curricular offerings bring to the campus and the community • A roll-up-the-sleeves, engaged approach in a university where hard work, goal achievement, and shared governance are prized; a team-building mindset that fosters trust and empowers all members of the team to contribute • A leadership style that encourages connections and fosters warm, authentic relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and external stakeholders • A desire to build culture and community both on-campus and in the greater Siouxland area • The ability to tell Morningside’s story in a compelling manner and attract substantial philanthropic support that will best position the University for the future • A track record of practicing and encouraging calculated risk-taking, creativity, innovation, and continual improvement, balancing reflection with an action orientation • Technology acumen that supports recruitment, retention, student success, and the student experience overall, including online and hybrid program delivery • An ethical, transparent, honest, and respectful communication style • High energy and a dynamic presence to continue the momentum that has characterized Morningside over the past two decades NOMINATIONS & APPLICATIONS

Appointment of the new president is expected in early 2022, and the successful candidate will assume the presidency on or about July 1, 2022.

For fullest consideration, application materials should be received by September 30, 2021. Candidates are encouraged to review this search profile, which contains detailed information about the University and the position. Morningside University welcomes the candidacies of women and people from underrepresented groups.

Applications must include a letter of interest that focuses on the areas of opportunity described earlier in the profile, a current CV/resume, and five professional references with email addresses and telephone numbers. References will not be contacted without the applicant’s authorization. Application materials should be sent electronically (MS Word or PDF) to [email protected].

Confidential inquiries, nominations, and referrals may be directed to: Dr. Carlton Brown, Executive Search Consultant [email protected], 912-247-8661 Mr. Frederick V. Moore, Executive Search Consultant [email protected], 712-299-2544 Dr. Melissa K. Trotta, Associate Managing Principal [email protected], 202-380-8927

Morningside University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against qualified applicants on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, gender identity, or veteran status.

16 MORNINGSIDE.EDU

The Morningside University experience cultivates a passion for lifelong learning and a dedication to ethical leadership and civic responsibility. MORNINGSIDE.EDU