Position Responsibilities

Qualities and Experience

The search committee understands that no single candidate will have all of the ideal qualifications, but Washington State University seeks a President with the following essential qualifications and strengths:

• The successful candidate will have an earned doctorate, equivalent terminal degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellence in academic and administrative leadership at the level of president, provost, and/or other senior administrative position of a major university, or an equivalent organization, such as a high-level leadership position in government or business, with a track record of success in a large, complex research environment.
• A profound commitment to the land-grant mission and the desire, fortitude, vision, and ability to define the role of and position WSU as a leading land-grant institution for the future.
• A highly developed understanding of academic values and culture; demonstrated appreciation of and support for scholarly work and academic excellence; the desire and ability to provide intellectual leadership on campus and to play a significant role at the national level in shaping discussion on issues of importance to higher education, such as the expanding role and impact of technology in the academy; and a commitment to the importance of undergraduate instruction and education.
• Passion for students and the belief in the power of education to change lives.
• An astute understanding of university finances, or their equivalent, and the relationships between academic priorities and budgeting, and the ability to marshal relevant information and data to inform decision making.
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion; a personal commitment to and genuine conviction that diversity is essential to improve education, WSU, and our society; a leader who through individual action and institutional leadership will advance diversity of all types.
• Demonstrated understanding of philanthropic fundraising including significant involvement in leading a comprehensive campaign; experience working with alumni or an organization’s key stakeholders and the ability to engage them in the institution or organization.
• A highly ethical, collegial, accessible, and consultative leader with a collaborative and transparent leadership style and unquestionable integrity; the ability and desire to maintain shared governance in planning and managing change, and to promote a sense of shared commitment to change.
• Comprehension of and experience in balancing the complex needs of an intercollegiate athletics program or an equivalent enterprise with the priorities linked to fulfilling an organization’s teaching, research, and service missions.
• Experience in and knowledge of national and global business, public policy, and cultural matters; a global and interdisciplinary thinker able to facilitate the potential for collaborative activities and partnerships across the nation and the world.
• The ability to thrive in the public sector with well-developed political and diplomatic skills; adept at representing the institution’s missions and goals with both the executive and legislative branches.
• Experience working with boards and assisting them in utilizing their full potential to advance institutional or organizational goals.
• Resilience and stamina for the task at hand; personal grace in dealing with a broad spectrum of personalities; the resolve to make the sometimes unpopular, but necessary, choices required as part of the job; and good humor in leading the day-to-day work of the University.

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search.

Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.

Julie Filizetti and Cati Mitchel
Isaacson, Miller
1000 Sansome Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: 415.655.4900
Fax: 415.655.4905

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