Presidential Search Process

Over the course of seven months, the Presidential Search Committee (PSC) led a diligent and thoughtful search for Gordon’s ninth president. Comprised of members of Gordon’s Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, and with the assistance of the firm CarterBaldwin, the national search allowed the committee to evaluate a diverse and distinguished pool of candidates. The PSC charged CarterBaldwin with ambitious goals for gathering nontraditional candidates who represent diversity in profession, race, gender, age and geography. More than 70 qualified candidates emerged, including several current presidents at other institutions. Ultimately the goal was to choose the individual best suited to Gordon College and its community, with a sense of calling and understanding of Gordon’s culture, history and unique role in New England.

During the formative stages of the search, the PSC invited faculty, staff and students to submit feedback that would help shape the candidate profile. Additionally, the PSC organized nearly 30 listening sessions to personally gather input from faculty and staff, current students, alumni, church and secondary school leaders, as well as two sessions with parents of students. In these sessions, members of the PSC took note of the qualities and skills participants believe the next president should possess, what candidates should know about Gordon College and questions the PSC should pose during interviews.

Vital input from the Gordon community led the PSC to criteria that represented the interests of wide-ranging stakeholders. In their search, the PSC sought to identify finalists who—along with demonstrated leadership experience at all levels within higher education—could show they understand and value the Christian liberal arts, connect well with faculty and students alike, possess a track record of collaboration and building shared a vision for their campuses, who exhibited strong spiritual maturity and wisdom, and who were authentic and engaging in their personal style.

Search Process and Timeline 

October 20, 2020 
Search officially launched with formal agreement. 

October 26, 2020 
Price Harding and Ted Wieber of CarterBaldwin meet with Herman Smith, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Carrie Tibbles, Search Committee chair. 

October 29–30, 2020 
Price Harding meets with senior leadership and Presidential Search Committee (PSC).

November 4, 2020 
CarterBaldwin presents first draft of the president position profile.

November 11, 2020 
President profile published and disseminated to CarterBaldwin’s database.

November 10, 2020–January 25, 2021 
Candidates are contacted, engaged in phone conversations, and submit résumés and CVs. 

January 27, 2021 
PSC members receive binders with candidate data. 

February 3, 2021 
PSC meets to understand universe of candidates. 

February 8–March 12, 2021 
Consultant travels for face-to-face interviews with nine semi-finalists. 

March 19, 2021 
PSC meets to establish interview slate.

March 2 –26, 2021 
CarterBaldwin schedules candidate travel arrangements.

April 8–9, 2021 
PSC conducts intensive interviews with three to five finalist candidates. 

April 15, 2021 
Board convenes to formally review and approve the recommendation for the new president.