Presidential Search

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This page serves as an official resource for information and updates regarding the search for 麻豆传媒鈥檚 eighth president. It is intended to inform members of the 麻豆传媒community and external stakeholders about the structure, timeline, and progress of the search process.

The University is committed to conducting a thorough, inclusive, and transparent search that reflects its mission, values, and strategic priorities. Updates will be posted to this site as the search advances and key milestones are reached.

Presidential Search Profile (.pdf)

Search Progress Update

February 17, 2026

As we look ahead and continue moving forward together, I want to thank the entire 麻豆传媒community for your patience, resilience, and ongoing support during this period of transition. It has been an honor to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees, and I am deeply grateful for the strength, pride, and commitment that define Wilkes.

One of our most important priorities is the search for Wilkes鈥� eighth president. The Board of Trustees and campus community seek an inspiring and collaborative leader who will champion the University鈥檚 student-centered mission and guide it through a period of strategic growth and renewal. The President will inspire a unified sense of purpose, galvanizing the campus around a shared vision that embraces academic excellence, financial resilience, and dynamic partnerships.

The search committee is now in place, representing trustees, faculty, staff, students, and the broader University community, and the process is actively underway. A search firm has been selected, and throughout the spring the committee will focus on building a strong pool of candidates, conducting interviews, and engaging with stakeholders.

Our anticipated timeline includes identifying finalists in late spring, selecting a candidate in early summer, and welcoming our new president in August, with an installation to follow in the fall. Throughout this process, the Board remains committed to transparency, thoughtful engagement, and ensuring that the next leader of 麻豆传媒is well positioned to guide the institution into the future.

Thank you for your continued belief in and support of Wilkes. We look forward to sharing updates as the search progresses and to continuing this important work together.

Bill Miller '81
Chair, Board of Trustees

Questions?

Jennifer Kooken
Consultant, Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff
Academic Search
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Search Timeline 2026

Mid-February

The search posting goes live on the Academic Search website and in approved online advertising venues.
February - April

Search consultants build a candidate pool. The search committee meets to prepare for candidate evaluation.
Late April - May

The search committee conducts confidential interviews with semi-finalist candidates. The finalists visit campus for confidential interviews.

June

The Board of Trustees selects a candidate of choice. Appointment of president announced.
Summer

The new president takes office.

Discover 麻豆传媒

Located on a compact 35-acre campus, 麻豆传媒 offers a unique architectural and academic environment where historic mansions stand alongside modern facilities. The campus is situated in the heart of a vibrant downtown district and is conveniently located within two hours of Philadelphia and New York City.

The lively community surrounding campus further enhances the University鈥檚 appeal. A dynamic and diverse local dining scene, walkable cultural amenities and access to River Common Park along the Susquehanna River provide opportunities for recreation, engagement and beautiful scenery. The Pocono Mountains are a short drive away and offer a wide range of year-round outdoor activities, supporting an outstanding quality of life for University leadership and their families.

麻豆传媒offers a mix of in-demand undergraduate, master鈥檚 and terminal degree programs delivered through three colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Engineering, and the College of Health and Education. We encourage students to explore opportunities in our robust academic programs, clubs and organizations to enhance their educational experiences and learn more about who they are. Students can gain real-world experience in their field beginning with their first year on campus, and faculty work alongside students to conduct innovative research. We offer the tools, support and resources to empower our students in pursuing their passions and interests.

Our 13:1 student-faculty ratio provides students with personalized hands-on guidance to help them define success on their own terms. Our faculty, 94% of whom hold the highest degree in their fields, and engaged staff foster a safe and inclusive community of belonging to ensure our students have every chance to flourish, discover facets of themselves and create the lives they want.

Student Success

About the Search

Presidential Search Committee

Bill Miller - Chair, Board of Trustees
Joe Housenick - Associate Vice President, Human Resources
Kerianne Geist - Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Kelli McCullough - Executive Assistant to the President & Board of Trustees
Bill Hanbury - Board of Trustee Member, Chair of Advancement Committee
Susan Davis - Board of Trustee Member, Chair of Marketing & Communications Committee
Willie Eggleston - Board of Trustee Member, Chair of Academic Excellence & Student Success Committee
Dan Cardell - Board of Trustee Member, Chair of Investment Advisory Subcommittee
Robert Eskra - University Staff Advisory Council Chair, Esports Manager
Jon Kuiken - Associate Professor of History and Director of Honors Program
Ken Wang - Associate Professor of Finance
John Buonanno - P2 Pharmacy Student
Emma Miller - First-Year Mechanical Engineering Student

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is confidentiality so important in a search process?

Many candidates will hold key positions at other institutions and will submit an application only if confidentiality is guaranteed. Members of the search committee have signed an agreement that secures confidentiality for all discussions, documents, and deliberations related to the search.
What is the role of the search committee chair?

The search chair is the official spokesperson for the search committee and, thus, the only individual authorized to speak on behalf of the search committee and the search process. The chair will provide regular updates to the campus community.
What information can search committee members share with me?

The information search committee members are able to share with the campus community is limited. The committee members are bound by a code of conduct that requires they not share any information discussed during search committee meetings, nor any information related to candidates, even after the search has closed.
Whom do I contact if I want to share specific information or if I have a question about the search?

Please contact the search consultants with any information or questions.
Will there be regular updates on the search?

Yes, the search chair will provide regular updates to the campus community at critical points in the search, and these updates will be posted to this website.
How can I make a nomination?

You can make nominations on the form on this website or by submitting them in confidence to WilkesPresident@academicsearch.org email link. If you are considering nominating someone, please carefully review the qualifications and experiences as outlined in the position profile before submitting a nomination. Your nomination will go directly to the search consultants, who will reach out to the nominee. The search consultants will not provide your name to the nominee, but you are free to do so.
Are internal candidates treated any differently from external candidates?

Internal candidates are vetted in the same way as external candidates. All candidates are assessed based on the criteria identified in the position profile. The committee very carefully selects the strongest candidates, either internal or external, for further consideration based on the required and desired qualifications.
How will members of the campus community participate in the search process?

Many members of the campus community met with the consultants during the initial campus visit and/or shared feedback via the survey. The information shared during this visit is particularly valuable during the recruiting phase of the search process.
When will the appointee take office?

The announcement of the new president is expected in June 2026, and the new president will assume office in August 2026.

About Academic Search and Search Consultant

麻豆传媒 has selected Academic Search as consultants to conduct the presidential search.

For nearly five decades, Academic Search has offered executive search services to hiring education institutions, associations, and related organizations. Academic Search was founded by higher education leaders on the principle that we provide the most value to partner institutions by combining best practices with our deep knowledge and experience. Our mission today is to enhance institutional capacity by providing outstanding executive recruitment services, executive coaching, and transition support, in partnership with our parent organization, the American Academic Leadership Institute.