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PRESIDENT SEARCH PROFILE AN INVITATION TO OUR NEXT PRESIDENT Morningside University 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, Iowa. 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 United Methodist Church. 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