Presidential Search Firm and Committee Announced 

The chair of Meredith’s Board of Trustees recently announced updates to the Board’s plans for recruiting the College’s ninth president. A search committee has been named, an executive search firm has been selected, and a website has been created to keep the campus community informed.

Presidential Search Committee Named
The following trustees and campus community members have been appointed to a Presidential Search Committee to assist in the presidential selection process. 

Trustee Representatives

• Christie Bishop Barbee, ’83
• David Branch
• Lena Epps Brooker, ’62
• Dr. Yvette Brown, ’90
• Andrea Oakley Fox, ’95
• Ella Plyler Frantz, ’80, co-chair
• Leslie Landis Hayes, ’80, co-chair
  Charles Royal, ex-officio
• Chuck Stuber

Faculty, Staff, and Student Representatives

• Dr. Karthik Aghoram, Professor of Biological Sciences, Director of Meredith’s Pre-Health Post-baccalaureate Program
• Astra Ball, Director of Advancement Services
• Jillian Jackson, ’26, Resident Assistant 
• Dr. Alisa Johnson, Associate Professor of English and Assistant Dean of Arts and Humanities
• Cathie Ostrowski, Director of Meredith’s Dietetic Internship Program

Trustee Dr. David Warren, retired president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and Trustee Emeritus Sam Ewell, board chair during Meredith’s previous presidential search, will serve as advisors to the search committee.

“On behalf of the board, we are grateful to each of these dedicated individuals from across our community for making the commitment to participate in this search,” said Charles Royal, chair of the board, in his email message to campus.

Search Firm Selected
Following a robust selection process, the Board of Trustees has engaged Academic Search, a recognized leader in higher education searches, to serve as our partner and facilitate the search process. Meredith’s team from Academic Search will be led by its president, Jay Lemons, along with Suzanne Mellon and Jennifer Kooken. Academic Search has begun working to gather input on the important priorities and qualities needed in our next president, including on-campus listening sessions on October 31 and November 1.

Presidential Search Communication
A Presidential Search webpage has been created as a central resource for keeping faculty/staff, students, and alumnae updated on the search process. The site includes copies of all communication updates, information about the process, and a video interview with Charles Royal about the process.