PRINCIPIA COLLEGE PRESIDENT LEADERSHIP PROFILE | 2020 INDEX INDEX COLLEGE PRESIDENT SEARCH ................................................................................................................3 ABOUT PRINCIPIA ......................................................................................................................................9 HOW TO APPLY ........................................................................................................................................ 13 PRINCIPIA COLLEGE PRESIDENT SEARCH www.principiacollege.edu | 2 COLLEGE PRESIDENT SEARCH Principia has launched a global search for the position of College President. The search committee invites applications and nominations for the next leader to advance the mission of Principia College. THE OPPORTUNITY safeguard Principia each day in carrying out its Pur- pose of service to the Cause of Christian Science. Principia College is the only institution of higher education with the mission to serve the Cause of The College’s 71 instructional faculty, 75% of whom Christian Science. The College now seeks a President have terminal degrees and 95% of whom are full-time, to lead it forward to ensure a thriving, richly diverse, educate a student body currently numbering approx- and enduring community. imately 400 in an environment that is exceptionally focused on student success. Within a framework of Principia College, located on a 2,600-acre setting 40 the liberal arts, the College offers 27 majors in the hu- minutes from urban St. Louis, is one of two campus- manities, social sciences, arts, and math and natural es operating under the Principia umbrella. There are sciences. close ties between Principia School, a day and boarding school which serves preschool through The College’s student body includes a rich grade 12, and Principia College, and nearly 60 international diversity with nearly 20 percent of percent of students who graduate from the School students hailing from 29 different countries across matriculate at the College. six continents. This fact is reflective of institutional commitment to an internationally and culturally The College President reports to Principia’s Chief diverse community. It also reflects the growth of Executive. Principia’s Board of Trustees provides the Christian Science movement in Africa, governance and is accountable for the fiduciary Southeast Asia, and South America. health of Principia, including oversight of Principia’s approximately $600-million endowment. It is also Students and alumni cite the close interpersonal the duty of each Trustee to prayerfully support and relationships between faculty, students, and PRINCIPIA COLLEGE PRESIDENT SEARCH www.principiacollege.edu | 3 COLLEGE PRESIDENT SEARCH staff as an essential component of their often- transformational Principia College experience. Students are widely engaged in multiple campus activities, including signature programs such as the internationally recognized solar car and mediation teams; 18 NCAA DIII intercollegiate sports and national-caliber rugby program; faculty- led study abroads; visual and performing arts; student government; the Christian Science Organization; and student-run clubs. The College’s outstanding facilities include the newly opened McVay Center for the Performing Arts and the newly renovated Voney Art Studio. The complete renovation of a primary academic building is underway, with a target open date of summer 2021. The new Principia College President will lead this singular institution through one of the most exciting challenges of its storied history, making a lasting im- pact on the College and on the community it serves. THE ROLE The College President reports to Principia’s Chief Ex- ecutive, who is appointed by and reports to Principia’s staff. The President’s direct reports include the Dean Board of Trustees. While not reporting directly to the of Academics, Dean of Students, Director of Athletics, Board of Trustees, the College President is a member Director of Admissions, Financial Aid Director, Col- of the Board’s Education Committee and Facilities lege Chief Operations Officer, and Director of Human Committee. They provide regular written reports to Resources. the Trustees and meet in-person at the Board’s three scheduled meetings each year. The College President functions as a member of the larger Principia insti- tution. They are a member of Principia’s Core Lead- OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR ership Team, which includes the Chief Executive and LEADERSHIP Head of Principia School. The two campuses share the services of the Advancement, Finance and Ac- Among the many opportunities the President will counting, General Counsel, and Investment offices. have to make an impact on the College, the following represent some of those by which performance The College President is responsible for realizing the will be judged during the first few years of the new success of a campus that includes approximately 71 College President’s tenure. They are presented here instructional faculty and 200 professional and service in no particular order of importance. PRINCIPIA COLLEGE PRESIDENT SEARCH www.principiacollege.edu | 4 COLLEGE PRESIDENT SEARCH Champion and lead fulfillment of new strategic plan experience. Principia College is faced with many of the same challenges confronting higher education The Principia College community has engaged in an nationwide and liberal arts institutions in particular. inclusive strategic planning process and is preparing As all traditional-age populations are shrinking, so to finalize a new five-year plan for approval by the too is the pool of potential Christian Science stu- Board of Trustees. The next College President will dents. Principia College must forge its unique place lead the implementation of the agreed-upon strate- in the higher education marketplace and find its path gic priorities that position the College to meet the to growth and relevance, including how it may serve challenges of the coming years. The incoming leader a wider population of those interested in living in and will frame the decisions required to realize the plan contributing to a Christian Science community. priorities and will align resources to ensure their suc- cessful implementation. In partnership with a dedi- The new College President will also inspire the cated leadership team, the new College President will campus community to identify innovative and ensure steady progress towards realizing these new entrepreneurial approaches to recruiting and goals and priorities; creating an agile, data-informed retaining students. They will ensure the College’s approach to evaluating their success; and modifying portfolio of offerings is competitive, current, and them to meet emerging needs. They will bring energy has a broad, global reach. Working with academic and persistence to navigate and engage a committed leaders, the College President will focus on advanc- and passionate group of stakeholders to address the ing academic excellence by creating and enhancing challenges ahead. opportunities for Principia College to be a dynamic community of thought leaders, independent thinkers, Bolster student enrollment and lifelong learners. The College President will lead the charge to expand the College’s visibility and viabil- The new College President will proactively articulate ity and to ensure a thriving and enduring community. and champion Principia College’s value and distinc- tiveness to an expanding global audience, broaden- ing the appeal of the College’s unique educational PRINCIPIA COLLEGE PRESIDENT SEARCH www.principiacollege.edu | 5 COLLEGE PRESIDENT SEARCH Foster collaboration and community building faculty governance and work to engage faculty and staff in crucial conversations to advance the priori- Principia College is one of two educational organiza- ties of the College and to develop a common vision tions operating within the Principia institution: for its success. Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, and Principia School in Town and Country, Missouri. There are The next College President will engage members of close ties between the two entities and nearly 60 the Elsah and surrounding communities, identifying percent of students who graduate from the School offerings and events that encourage their engage- matriculate to the College. The College President ment with the campus and that help strengthen must relish the opportunity to foster collaboration the College’s role in the region. In addition, the new with the School, identifying synergies that help propel College leader will encourage student, faculty, and both forward. The College President is critical to the staff involvement as citizens and good neighbors. advancement of the larger mission of Principia and is The College President also works to ensure produc- the lead advocate and administrator for the College. tive relationships with the global Christian Science Nurturing an environment of teamwork, the President community. must effectively maximize the shared services which are critical to the successes of both campuses. Lead commitment to the student experience The College President will engage, unite, and inspire all constituents, including faculty, students, staff, The College President is especially important in administrators, alumni, and the broader community, bringing campus stakeholders together to fulfill the working to ensure all voices are heard and valued. mission of serving the Cause of Christian Science as The College