President

The Board of Trustees of Morris College is conducting a national search and invites nominations and applications for the position of President. This position is an opportunity for a transformational leader who is an accomplished, innovative change agent prepared to move the institution to the next level, and who can build and leverage the partnerships and resources available at this critical time in the history of the College.

Morris College is a four-year, coeducational, residential, liberal arts and career-focused institution awarding baccalaureate degrees in the arts and sciences, as well as certificates in career-based professional fields through public services programs and other civic engagement activities.

Morris College is located in the city of Sumter which is also the county seat and the eighth largest metropolitan area in the state of South Carolina. In 2022, the city of Sumter, S.C. was recognized as one of the best places to live by Forbes Magazine because of its small-town charm, affordable living, low unemployment rate and great geographical footprint. Sumter is a growing, diverse community located between the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Centrally located, it is 100 miles west of Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand and 175 miles east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Columbia, the state capital, is about 45 miles to the west, Hilton Head is 140 miles to the south, and Charleston is approximately 100 miles to the south. Shaw Air Force Base, located within the Sumter City limits, is home to the Air Force's largest combat F-16 wing, the 20th Fighter Wing. Sumter’s proximity and moderate climate make activities like golf, tennis, hiking, biking and fishing accessible year-round.

The President of Morris College is responsible for leadership of all College operations, outreach, and initiatives, including overseeing academic and administrative functions; fundraising; budgeting; developing strategic partnerships; stimulating economic growth; leading student success initiatives; actively engaging with all constituents to include alumni, faculty, staff, and students; and leveraging all resources to maintain an inclusive, collegial environment for all. Building upon the success of current President Leroy Staggers, former long-serving President Luns C. Richardson and their eight predecessor presidents over 115 years, the next President will be an innovative and inspirational leader who will chart an ambitious path for the future of Morris College.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the President will articulate the College’s vision and guide the strategic direction. The development and implementation of a new strategic plan in the coming years will guide and transform the College to fulfill its mission and identified goals; and this effort will need to be inclusive of Morris College stakeholders and a culmination of a comprehensive institutional assessment.

The President will aggressively identify, pursue and secure new sources of revenue from the private and government sectors at the local, state, and federal levels. The President will present a compelling case and effectively tell the Morris College history, vision, and strategic goals to support the College’s fundraising efforts, public and private partnerships and raise the visibility of the College. The ability to thrive in the public sector with well-developed political and diplomatic skills is essential.

How to Apply

Greenwood Asher & Associates is assisting Morris College in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. Confidential inquiries, nominations and application materials should be directed to Greenwood Asher and Associates. For a full application package, please submit a cover letter, resume or CV, and list of five references. Submission of application materials as PDF attachments is strongly encouraged. The search will be conducted with a commitment to confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. Please visit the college’s presidential web page for more information about the search.

Please direct inquiries, nominations and application materials to:

Marion Frenche

Search Manager

E-mail: marionfrenche@greenwoodsearch.com

Julie Holley

Consultant

E-mail: julieholley@greenwoodsearch.com

Morris College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or physical handicap in its educational programs or activities, including admission and employment