Presidential Search

College of the Ozarks, established in 1906, is seeking qualified applicants for president. Reporting to a twenty-one-member Board of Trustees, the president is the chief executive officer of the work-based institution located at Point Lookout, Missouri (near Branson). The College is a private, faith-based institution, one of a small number of Work Colleges in the United States, with an enrollment of approximately 1,500. All full-time students work at a campus industry/work assignment, and the College is characterized by strong traditional values. The College also operates the School of the Ozarks, a K-12 Laboratory School with an enrollment of approximately 275.

During the thirty-four-year tenure of the current president, the College of the Ozarks has assumed national prominence as one of the top colleges in the nation, listed since 1989 in the U.S. News and World Report rankings as a Top College in the Midwest and as one of the “choosiest” and “best value” colleges in the nation. Further information about the College is available at www.cofo.edu.

The president is responsible for maintaining and advancing the historic mission of the College, “...providing a Christian education, serving students found worthy, but without the means to obtain such training.”  Ninety percent of students admitted must demonstrate financial need. To ease the burden of financial struggles, the College’s Work Education Program (WEP) provides students a way to obtain a quality, post-secondary education without incurring student loan debt. Each full-time student works 15 hours a week at one of more than 80 workstations, including the campus dairy farms, or highly rated restaurant, hotel, and conference center located in The Keeter Center. The administrative structure mirrors and supports the five-fold institutional mission, emphasizing Academic, Vocational, Christian, Patriotic, and Cultural goals.

This position requires a minimum of an earned doctorate in an academic field and senior leadership experience. The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong background in the Christian faith, indicating compatibility with the College’s mission. The desired candidate will have a background in Christian education, including experience at the collegiate level. Experience with leadership of organizations with a significant budget and organizational span of control, along with personnel management, is desired, as is experience in a college setting.

College of the Ozarks is a fiscally sound institution because of the support of a dedicated donor base and a significant endowment. Donor relations are an integral role of the president and require significant travel, on a continuing basis, to provide essential leadership in this area. Spousal support and voluntary participation in these efforts can be an important asset in this leadership role. The current president will assume the role of chancellor, for a period of time, to assist in the work of donor relations.

Salary and benefits are commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Upon receipt of a letter of application, a packet containing background information on the College, its history and current programs, and the College’s standard employment application form will be forwarded. Applicants must submit the names and current contact information for five references – typically those who have worked in professional settings with the applicant and can attest to his/her leadership background and philosophy. If ranked as a top candidate, references will be contacted, and an extensive background check (criminal and other) will be conducted. The application form and file must be completed and received by the application deadline of January 17, 2022, for best consideration by the Search Committee. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. All materials should be mailed to:

Presidential Search Committee

College of the Ozarks

PO Box 17

Point Lookout, MO  65726