President

President
Vermillion, SD

The South Dakota Board of Regents invites nominations, expressions of interest and applications from candidates to become the next president of the University of South Dakota.

Founded in 1862 on the banks of the Missouri River in Vermillion, South Dakota, the University of South Dakota is the state’s flagship institution and its designated liberal arts university. As the largest employer in Vermillion, USD plays a critical role as an economic driver and generates $786 million in annual economic impact to the state. USD is home to the state’s only medical and law schools as well as the state’s first and longest-standing College of Fine Arts. It also houses the Beacom School of Business, School of Education, College of Arts & Sciences, School of Health Sciences and the state’s largest Graduate School. For more than 150 years USD has produced the state’s leaders, thinkers, politicians, judges, medical professionals and entrepreneurs.

With an enrollment exceeding 10,000 students and employing more than 400 faculty members, USD has a strong commitment to student outcomes and success. The 274-acre main campus in Vermillion—housing more than 4,000 students, over 130 student organizations and 18 NCAA Division I sports—has undergone $300 million in upgrades over the last decade and been named one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation. USD has a strong track record of successful programs and initiatives that will provide a solid and steady foundation on which the incoming president can build.

USD is part of a system of six universities governed by a nine-member Board of Regents. Member institutions are expected to collaborate, share resources, increase efficiency and cost savings, limit program redundancy among universities, and make it easier for students to access programs and transfer easily throughout the system. The USD president reports to the board through the executive director. The USD president provides the strategic vision and leadership for the campus. The president will be expected to continue the university’s current momentum and leverage existing strategic initiatives toward the development of new campus-wide priorities.

USD’s president will be a visible representative of the institution, both on and off campus, responsible for cultivating external relationships and building strong ties within the community, local industry and with statewide government officials. The president also will serve as the university’s chief fundraiser, leading the campus to the successful close of its current $250 million campaign (currently on pace to surpass $300 million) and engaging current and prospective donors to identify new sources of revenue. A continued focus on increasing enrollment, student retention and graduation rates will be critical to future success. The president should be a strong advocate of faculty and staff, encouraging cross-disciplinary partnerships and program innovation to enhance academic excellence.

Successful candidates will have significant administrative and leadership experience with a high level of interpersonal skills and a deep commitment to student success. Candidates should demonstrate a track record of fundraising and building strong relationships and community partnerships with external constituents. The campus seeks a president who is highly visible, both on and off campus, transparent and collaborative. Additional information, including a Leadership Profile, can be found at www.wittkieffer.com.

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. For fullest consideration, applicant materials should be received by March 2, 2018. Candidates should provide a CV, a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the leadership profile and the names and contact information for five references. Candidate confidentiality will be respected and references will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval of candidates. Inquiries and application materials should be sent via email to the search consultants, Zachary A. Smith, Ph.D. and Sophie Stava of Witt/Kieffer, at USDPresident@wittkieffer.com. Questions may also be directed to the consultants through the office of Eden Stroud at 630-575-6154.

The University of South Dakota shall offer equal opportunities in employment and for access to and participation in educational, extension and other institutional services to all persons qualified by academic preparation, experience, and ability for the various levels of employment or academic program or other institutional service, without discrimination based on sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identification, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status or on any other status that may become protected under law against discrimination. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Human Resources, 
Office of Equal Opportunity, http://www.usd.edu/human-resources/equal-opportunity.