President

SEARCH PROFILE PRESIDENT SEARCH PROFILE: President2 TABLE OF CONTENTS THE OPPORTUNITY 3 ABOUT AVILA UNIVERSITY 4 AVILA UNIVERSITY TODAY 5 STRATEGIC PLAN 7 FINANCES AND LEADERSHIP 7 ALUMNI 8 ABOUT KANSAS CITY 8 THE PRESIDENCY 9 APPLICATION AND NOMINATION PROCESS 12SEARCH PROFILE: President3 The Board of Trustees of Avila University (Avila) invites inquires, applications, and nominations for the position of President. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, Avila is an independent Catholic university founded and inspired by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ) in 1916. Today, Avila is a vibrant, four-year university providing liberal arts, professional, undergraduate, and graduate education that prepares students for full participation in society and successful professional careers. The University seeks a collaborative and visionary leader, able to articulate a compelling vision and execute the steps required continue its growth . The next President will be a mission-driven leader who will advance the University’s culture of innovation, build on its rich heritage as a Catholic university inspired by the mission and values of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and strengthen a spirit of community among faculty, staff, and students. The President will ensure that academic programs are at the high standard of quality for which Avila is known, relevant in a continuously and rapidly evolving market, and academically challenging with strong student support. The next President is expected to begin by July 1, 2026.SEARCH PROFILE: President4ABOUT AVILA UNIVERSITY MISSION ST ATEMENT Avila Universit y, a Catholic University founded and inspired by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, provides undergraduate and graduate education in the liberal arts and professional studies, preparing lifelong learners who make meaningful contributions to the global community. UNIVERSITY VALUES: THE WORTH, DIGNITY, AND POTENTIAL OF EACH HUMAN BEING Inspired by its founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the campus fosters a community rooted in understanding, respect, and peace. Avila’s Buchanan Initiative for Peace and Nonviolence is a powerful example of how these values are brought to life. The Thornhill Art Gallery regularly hosts artists, activists, and humanitarian organizations whose work promotes dialogue and collaboration. Through continued support of the Feed Your Friends pantry and comprehensive sexual harassment prevention programs, the University works to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all members of the campus community. HISTORY The road to today’s modern institution of higher learning began in 1836, when the first Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet arrived in Missouri from the order’s home in the Lyons region of France. In 1866, Mother Francis Joseph Ivory came to Kansas City to staff a small school that incorporated as St. Teresa’s Academy (in honor of St. Teresa of Avila) shortly after her arrival. In 1916 the school became St. Teresa’s College, a two-year college for women. For more than 25 years, St. Teresa’s was the only Catholic school providing more than an elementary education for girls in Kansas City. With enrollment increasing, the modern era of Avila began in 1963 when construction began on a much larger new campus in South Kansas City. With the new location came a new name, Avila College. In 1965, Avila welcomed its first on-campus residents with the completion of Carondelet Hall. Another major milestone occurred in 1969, when the University became fully coeducational. Today , Avila continues to grow as a Catholic university and expand as it offers faith- and values-based academic excellence in the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. COMMITMENT TO SERVICE Respect and service to all without distinction are at the core of Avila’s work—values instilled at its founding in 1916 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Through mentorship, service organizations, and an active campus ministry, the Avila community is built on healthy relationships among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and neighbors. Students complete more than 140,000 service hours each year, and faculty, staff, and alumni actively contribute to a wide range of philanthropic organizations. The Avila community is also committed to caring for the Earth through extensive recycling efforts and sustainability initiatives across campus. SEARCH PROFILE: President5 AVILA UNIVERSITY TODAY (CONT.) RECENT HISTORY Since its beginning, Avila University has prioritized serving first-generation and other under-served populations. Avila is a values-based community of learning, where social justice and the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet are at the foundation of the institution. Over the past three years, Avila University has experienced a period of significant transition and restructuring. In 2022, the institution faced financial pressures, enrollment challenges , and deferred facilities needs . New leadership introduced a strategic plan focused on stabilizing operations, rebuilding enrollment, strengthening academic offerings, and reaffirming the university’s Catholic mission. Central to this effort was a clearer enrollment strategy supported by partnerships with community colleges, healthcare providers, K–12 districts, and external education organizations. The university expanded online and graduate programming, introduced accelerated degree pathways, and developed new offerings in areas such as nursing, business, and technology. Dual-credit initiatives and expanded recruitment efforts, including international outreach, broadened Avila’s student pipeline. Enrollment has grown during this period, with larger incoming classes and increased overall headcount. To support that growth, the university renovated residence halls and made targeted investments in campus infrastructure. Financial oversight and operational systems were also strengthened, and the institution has reported improved budget performance compared to prior years. ACADEMICS Today, the University prepares students for responsible, lifelong contributions to the global community through more than thirty-six undergraduate majors along with eighteen master’s level graduate programs. Colleges include the College Arts and Science (which houses the traditional full-time faculty and serves the main on campus population) and the College of Innovative Professional and Graduate Studies (which provides programming for online adult undergraduate, graduate, and international students). Over the last three years, the School of Nursing graduates average a 92.6% NCLEX-RN first-pass rate. The School of STEM, the School of Psychology, and the School of Social Sciences all provide undergraduate research opportunities where students regularly present their research at regional and national conferences. Avila University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Program accreditation includes: •Nursing – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; fully approved by the Missouri State Boardof Nursing •Radiologic Science – Joint Review Committee onEducation in Radiologic Technology •Social Work – Council on Social Work Education•Education – Association for Advancing Quality inEducator Preparation; Missouri Department ofElementary and Secondary Education •Business – International Accreditation Council forBusiness Education •Kinesiology - Council on Accreditation of Strength andConditioning Education Avila employs approximately fifty-three full-time and 335 adjunct faculty members. Of the full-time faculty, 93% serve in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and 7% in the College of Innovative Professional and Graduate Studies. More than 70% of full-time faculty hold a Ph.D. or the highest degree in their field. The University also employs 175 full- and part-time staff members. STUDENT BODY Avila’s enrollment for fall 2025 stands at 3,382 students (1,538 undergraduate and 1,844 graduate). About 56% of the students receive Pell grants. The undergraduate student body consists of 65% women and 35% men. More than 37% of the traditional undergraduate student body are first-generation college students. The race/ethnicity distribution of all students (undergraduate and graduate): 27% White, 14 % Black, 11 % Hispanic, 1% Asian, .2% Pacific Islanders, .6% Native American/Alaskan Native, and 4% multi-racial/not reporting. International students representing fifty-seven countries account for 43% of Avila's student population. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. The average first-year retention rate over the past three years is 70% while the transfer retention rate is approximately 71%. In addition, 63% of traditional undergraduate students are athletes; 20% of students live on campus; and 15% of undergraduate students identify as Catholic. Avila’s student body includes recent high school graduates, college transfer students, working professionals, veterans of the armed services, and SEARCH PROFILE: President6 AVILA UNIVERSITY TODAY (CONT.) returning adult learners. More than three hundred students live on campus across four residence halls. The University offers more than twenty-two student clubs and organizations, including A vila Ambassadors, DECA, Eagles for Christ, Black Student Union, Society of Latinos, and the International Student Organization, and a robust Student Government Association which support a wide range of student interests and communities. Avila competes in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference and is a member of the NAIA sponsoring seventeen varsity sports. Programs include men’s baseball, basketball, tennis, football, bowling, wrestling, volleyball, and soccer, along with women’s basketball, soccer, softball, wrestling, bowling, cheer, dance, tennis, and volleyball. Avila’s athletic teams are competitive and include many scholar-athletes. A vila also provides strong performing arts opportunities, including concert choir, orchestra, wind ensemble, and theater . The student news magazine, The Talon , and students in the School of Visual and Communication Arts consistently earn regional and national recognition. Avila University is committed to mutually beneficial community partnerships. These include placement, project, enrollment, and signature partnerships, with many projects and programs focusing on service and community outreach. Avila is proud of its heritage in combining the liberal arts with professional programs and believes that a broad education forms well-rounded graduates ready to contribute to society. Starting with the First-Year Experience seminar, the curriculum is designed to give students the ability to pursue their research interests, regardless of field. This interdisciplinary approach means they graduate with the technical knowledge needed to excel professionally, combined with the wide-ranging knowledge, critical thinking, and flexibility necessary to succeed in the modern workforce. The liberal arts foundation is combined with outstanding professional programs in education, counseling and social work, health care, technology, and other areas that are recognized throughout the region for their outstanding quality and student outcomes. MISSION-CENTERED COMMUNITY & BELONGING At Av ila University, a commitment to students, faculty, and staff is deeply grounded in the mission and charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet—particularly the call to love the dear neighbor without distinction and to build a community rooted in right relationships. These values shape how the community learns, works, and lives together, and guides the University’s efforts to foster a welcoming, respectful, and supportive campus environment. This commitment is advanced through a coordinated, institution-wide approach in which every unit plays an active role in identifying and implementing initiatives that strengthen community, access, and engagement. Strategic focus areas and guiding frameworks provide alignment across the University, while volunteer employee committees help lead and advance specific actions in service of these goals. With the support of the Board of Trustees and Executive Leadership, Avila continues to pursue meaningful progress through administrative practices, broadened recruitment of faculty and staff, professional development and enrichment opportunities for employees, inclusive academic and co-curricular programming, student-focused initiatives that encourage expression and dialogue, and sustained partnerships with alumni and donors who share these priorities. In addition, Avila’s Center for Truth, Racial Healing and Social Justice serves as a student-centered, community- facing resource that provides space for thoughtful conversation and learning around issues that shape our campus and society, consistent with the University’s mission and commitment to human dignity. SEARCH PROFILE: President7STRATEGIC PLAN Avila University executed a multi-year strategic plan during the 2022–23 academic year. As the institution continued to evolve, leadership determined that a three- to-five-year horizon was longer than desired for the current environment. The University is now revising and streamlining the plan to better reflect Avila’s present needs and near-term priorities. KEY GOALS INCLUDE:The Board of Trustees and the University community will look to the next President to lead and implement the next iteration of an ambitious strategic plan and, in doing so, develop a clear strategic vision. They anticipate that the next President will review and build on what has been accomplished and take a leadership role in branding and positioning the institution; this will lead to increased academic programming, attractiveness, affordability, sustainability, and net tuition for the University. This updated effort will engage the entire Avila community in shaping the University’s direction for the coming years and ensuring that institutional goals remain focused, responsive, and aligned with Avila’s mission.1.Innovate in academics, tailored to the needs of our students 2.Increase enrollment and diversify enrollmentchannels 3.Caring for our people, organizing for growth andscale 4.Focus on service, living the mission and charism FINANCES AND LEADERSHIP FINANCES The University’s annual net operating revenue budget is $32.2 million. Avila’s endowment currently stands at approximately $6 million, and the University carries $15.7 million in outstanding debt, including $13.4 million in bonds . Current tuition and fees total $40,540, with room and board averaging $8,320 per academic year. Avila also benefits from strong philanthropic and grant support. In fiscal year 2024–25, the University received $5.1 million in philanthropic contributions. In addition, Avila secured $934,000 through the U.S. Department of Education’ s TRIO program and $524,000 in Title III grant funding. LEADERSHIP Avila University’ s Board of Trustees serves as the governing body responsible for the overall oversight, strategic direction, and fiduciary health of the institution, consistent with its status as a private Catholic university under Missouri law. Comprised of community leaders, alumni, and representatives connected to Avila’s mission —many with backgrounds in business, nonprofit leadership, and service—the Board works closely with senior administration to establish policies, approve strategic plans, and support mission-aligned growth. The Board also plays a key role in presidential selection and leadership transitions, most recently appointing Dr . Andy Jett as Interim President following Dr. Jim Burkee’s departure, and has actively shaped Avila’s resurgence through expansion initiatives and enhanced institutional governance. Dr. Jim Burkee, Avila Univ ersity’s most recent president (2022–2025), led the institution through one of its most consequential periods of transformation. Arriving during a time of financial pressure and enrollment decline, Burkee brought a strategic, innovation-driven approach grounded in mission and access to education. He focused on stabilizing finances, strengthening institutional culture, and expanding Avila’s reach, reaffirming the university’s Catholic identity and commitment to serving a broader and more diverse student body. Under Burkee’s leadership, Avila experienced significant growth and renewal. Enrollment increased substantially, financial stability improved, and the university expanded academic offerings and geographic presence, including the launch of Avila University Arizona. Strategic partnerships, enhanced programs, and campus improvements marked his tenure. In August 2025, he announced his departure, concluding his service at Avila during a period of renewed institutional momentum. For more on his reflections about this period, see his four-part online series, Three Years at Avila: Reflections on Leadership & Transformation: https://www.avila.edu/2025/07/29/three-years-at-avila- reflections-on-leadership-and-transformation/ . SEARCH PROFILE: President8 ALUMNI There are more than 14,000 alumni and 62% live in Kansas City. Nearly 83% of Avila alumni are employed within six months of graduation. More than 750 nursing alumni from the past 20 years are employed at all levels of health care and in nearly every major regional health system. Some alumni serve as presidents and CEOs and seventy-five as K-12 school superintendents. The top employers of Avila University alumni are Children’s Mercy, HCA Midwest Health, Saint Luke’s, Saint Joseph Medical Center, University of Kansas (Health), Cerner, and T-Mobile. ABOUT KANSAS CITY Located in a suburban, residential neighborhood in south Kansas City, Missouri, the Avila campus sits on fifty tree-lined acres. The surrounding metropolitan area—commonly referred to as “Kansas City” or KC—encompasses fourteen counties and spans the Kansas and Missouri state line. While widely known for its barbeque, Kansas City is also a thriving center for the arts, culture, craft brewing, professional sports, and civic innovation. KC is home to six national museums, including the National World War I Museum and Memorial and the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum. The city also boasts the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, a world-class venue that is home to the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, the Kansas City Symphony, and the Kansas City Ballet, which also operates a full ballet school. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Kansas City Zoo, Sporting KC professional soccer, the NFL World-Champion Kansas City Chiefs, T-Mobile Center, Major League Baseball’s Royals, and NASCAR’s Kansas Speedway help make Kansas City one of the nation’s most dynamic and surprising metropolitan areas.Kansas City is also known for its accessible cost of living, strong healthcare and higher-education sectors, and a growing corporate and entrepreneurial presence, including major employers in engineering, finance, technology, logistics, and life sciences. Kansas City International Airport provides easy national connectivity, and the Avila campus is within a 30-minute drive of the region’s major cultural, entertainment, and business districts. NOTABLE ALUMNI Jean Buchanan ’76* Jean and her husband Bill were owners of Unified Life Insurance Company. They established the Buchanan Initiative for Peace & Nonviolence at Avila in 2015. Ahmad Askhar ’04 He is one of the world’s foremost experts in crowd and venture philanthropy. He is also the Founder and CEO of the Hult Prize Foundation, which has been named by TIME magazine as one of the top five initiatives changing the world. Julie Garwood ’65*She was one of America’s favorite fiction writers and has more than thirty-five million books in print and 26 New York Times bestsellers. Cece Grindel Ph.D. ’69She is co-founder and former president of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses. Edith Messina ’66 ’06 She is the first female judge in the Jackson County Missouri Circuit Court. Lisa Sackuvich ’81 As president and founder of ARJ Infusion Services, she was named #1 Woman-Owned Business in Kansas City by the Kansas City Business Journal in September 2021. Jennifer Sonsdiak ‘97 A passionate advocate and pioneer in forensic nursing, she oversees the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE KC) program at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City. As a published author, Jennifer speaks locally and internationally on the importance of extensive evidence-based treatment while appreciating and honoring the human experience of healthcare. *DeceasedSEARCH PROFILE: President9 THE PRESIDENCY The President of Avila University will be a mission- driven leader who will advance the University’s culture of innovation, build on its rich heritage as a Catholic university inspired by the mission and values of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and strengthen a spirit of community among faculty, staff, and students. The President will ensure that academic programs are at the high standard of quality for which Avila is known, relevant in a continuously and rapidly evolving market, and academically challenging with strong student support. The President will be a collaborative and visionary leader, able to articulate a compelling vision and execute the steps required to bring it to life. This leader will promote a strong sense of community on campus, within the Kansas City community and the region. LEADERSHIP AGENDA Demonstrate Collaborative, Mission-Centered Leadership Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph to bring about loving relationships through service to all without distinction, Avila has a proud tradition as a caring community with an atmosphere of respect and common purpose. The President will live this approach, through collaborative relationships and promotion of the University’s core values which have the potential of being Avila’s point of differentiation. The President will use those values and the University’s commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition to inform actions, strategy, and decision-making. Avila serves a diverse student body and is committed to social justice inherited from the Sisters. The President will embrace the University’s commitment to social justice and demonstrate the capacity to engage effectively across cultural differences, build community, and ensure that all faculty, staff, and students feel valued as full members of the Avila community. The President will be a collaborative, transparent leader. A successful presidency cannot be achieved alone. It requires a strong senior team to provide counsel and coordinate execution, with clear individual and collective goals and a shared sense of accountability; the President will pursue such a culture. Engaging the community, the President will cultivate a shared vision and execute a plan to bring it to fruition. The University has made rapid strides in recent years. The President will revisit progress toward the key priorities in the current strategic plan and assess whether changes/modifications to current directions are needed. Strengthen the Financial Model through Enrollment and Philanthropy The President will be a wise steward of the University’s finances. Since its inception, Avila has depended on tuition revenues to generate nearly all of its operating revenue. The President must ensure that the enrollment mix generates sufficient net tuition revenue to support the financial model in the short and long terms, that the University lives within its means, that promising initiatives for the future are adequately funded to facilitate success, and that additional revenue streams (i.e. philanthropic and/or grant support) are pursued to diversify the revenue mix. The President should be open to mutually beneficialpartnerships, whether with the business community,the not-for-profit community, local school districts andcommunity colleges, other educational institutions, etc. Avila has seen dramatic growth in recent years, including the largest first-year class in the institution’s history. Challenges remain, including the demographic cliff that threatens continued growth in domestic students and the substantial change in federal policies that have made it more difficult to sustain the international enrollments that have contributed significantly to recent growth. SEARCH PROFILE: President10THE PRESIDENCY (CONT.) Addressing these challenges will require strategic decisions about which areas of potential revenue/ enrollment growth are most promising, which require additional resources, which may not remain viable, et al. The president, along with leaders in enrollment and marketing, will develop, execute, assess, and recalibrate strategies to develop and achieve an enrollment mix that will result in sufficient net revenue to deliver on the University’s priorities. In addition, the next president will need to strengthen philanthropic revenues. Internally, this will require a multifaceted approach beginning with ensuring adequate staffing in the advancement area and applying a systematic approach to advancement work (with metrics for both process and results). Externally, the president will need to be a willing and active spokesperson for the University, building relationships with alumni, in the greater Kansas City community, and beyond. Improve the Student Experience The next president will build on recent work to advance program innovation, strengthen program quality, and implement appropriate modes of instruction to serve a wide variety of learners in both undergraduate and graduate areas. There is a strong commitment to continue to develop market-driven programs that are tightly aligned to employment opportunities for students. The President will ensure that academic offerings reflect the University’s values and commitment to the liberal arts and professional programs. A financial model that generates sufficient net revenue to support Avila’s short and long term sustainability is vital. In particular, the President will ensure that program offerings and delivery methods meet market and student needs consistent with the University’s mission and values and sufficient student support is in place to meet the needs of a larger and increasingly diverse student body. The President will continue to strengthen a culture of student success that enhances retention and graduation rates. The quality of student life and overall welfare of the student body are a priority . A clear focus on students’ needs and satisfaction is needed to strengthen support services and address the need for facilities that provide a more inviting atmosphere for both commuter and residential students. The President will work with trustees, faculty, and sta ff to provide an educational experience that meets the rapidly changing expectations of Avila students today and into the future. Work Effectively with the Campus Communit y, Trustees, and the Greater Kansas City Community The loyalty, dedication, and unwavering support of the faculty and staff is striking. The President will lead a culture where employees feel secure, valued, and appreciated, creating greater stability within faculty and staff. A personal style that demonstrates genuine interest in faculty and staff, supported by clear communication and transparency around decision-making will ensure such a culture, as will a leadership style that naturally brings people together. In addition, the President will ensure that staffing levels are sufficient to carry out the work of the University in a sustainable manner. Similarly , Avila has a strong Board deeply dedicated and passionate about the institution. The President will lead the development of key performance indicators (dashboard) to monitor goals each year. To monitor and assess those goals, the President will maintain close communication with the Chair and Executive Committee of the Board as strategies are implemented. The President will engage with the Board as an informed thought partner, ensuring that the Board is appropriately informed to carry out its fiduciary responsibilities and to provide counsel to the President. The Board and President will continue to seek new Board members who can assist the University with its continued growth and development. In addition, the President will engage with the Metropolitan Kansas City community and its region as a spokesperson for Avila’s unique role in the community and be a visible leader seeking relationships and partnerships with corporations, foundations, and other philanthropic entities. The President, in alignment with the advancement team and the Board of Trustees, will prioritize needs and embrace fundraising with donors, foundations, corporations, and new audiences--an enthusiastic spokesperson for the University and a tireless relationship builder on its behalf. SEARCH PROFILE: President11THE PRESIDENCY (CONT.) QUALIFICATIONS Avila University seeks an experienced, successful, and engaged leader. While candidates are not required to be Catholic, they must be an active witness by words and action to the Catholic identity of the University as inspired by the charism, values, and mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Search Committee is eager to consider many possible pathways to the presidency; nonetheless, a terminal degree is required; a doctorate is strongly preferred While candidates are not required to demonstrate all of the desired characteristics, the successful candidate will bring many of the following characteristics sought by the Search Committee : •Enthusiasm for Avila’s distinctive culture, its values in the tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and its special niche in higher education as a Catholic university; •Demonstrated track record of asking for and attaining financial support for previous educational institutions; •An entrepreneurial mindset and a spirit of creativity and innovation, demonstrated by examples of growth from past experience; •Ability to articulate the issues facing higher education, including enrollment management, technology, innovation, change management, and the business model of tuition-driven institutions and possible solutions/strategies for each. Leadership experience in addressing these issues in higher education is preferred. •A record of strong financial management skills and documented experience in developing and maintaining fair, realistic, transparent, and effective operating budgets and longer-term financial models; •Successful experience demonstrating the ability tosecure financial stability and long-term economic sustainability at an educational institution through appropriate allocation of resources and fundraising; •A curiosity for other cultures and a deep commitment to foster a genuinely welcoming environment for students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds; •A deep and demonstrated commitment to socialjustice consistent with the core values of the Sisters of St. Joseph, including access for populations previously underrepresented in higher education and for Catholics, those of other faith traditions, and students of no faith; •A collaborative and principled leadership style built on integrity, intellectual honesty, transparency, relationships, and open and genuine communication; •The skill to listen closely, make timely and data- driven decisions, and communicate those decisions clearly and effectively;•Demonstrated experience in cultivating anacademic portfolio comprised of the liberal arts, professional programs, adult and continuing education, accelerated and online programs, international education and global perspectives; •An appreciation of the centrality of the academic enterprise and willingness to support and enhance faculty work in teaching, learning, development, andscholarship; •A demonstrated commitment to shared governance, transparency, civil and open discourse, and the ability to build relationships marked by mutual trust and respect; •Effective engagement with the Sisters of St. Joseph, St. Joseph Educational Ministries (the Public Juridic Person that sponsors the University), and the Diocese to further the University’s identity as a Catholic university; •A genuine interest in building and maintaining positive relationships with alumni and friends of the University, and the willingness to pursue relationships that can strengthen the University(through partnerships, enrollment growth, investment, philanthropy, et al); •Knowledge of higher education’s impact in the urban setting and ability to easily build relationships as an engaged and influential partner in the greater Kansas City area and its region; •Ability to balance growing external demands while finding pleasure in being a presence on campus and participating in student and faculty life; and; •Excellent communication and presentation skills, a comfortable public presence, enthusiasm, and a sense of humor. SEARCH PROFILE: President12 APPLICATION AND NOMINATION PROCESS Avila University is being assisted by Academic Search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited and a conversation with the consultants is encouraged before the submission of an application, so they can share information that might be helpful in discerning your interest and preparing materials. If you are interested in the position, please arrange a confidential discussion by contacting: Dr. Scott Flanagan Managing Director and Senior Executive Coach scott.flanagan@academicsearch.org Direct booking link to schedule a call: https://tinyurl. com/2z9s5m6y or Ms. Disa Mason Consultant disa.mason@academicsearch.org Direct booking link to schedule a call: https://bit.ly/ Mason_Bookings The search committee will begin reviewing applications in late February 2026. Though applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled, only those materials received by March 15, 2026 are assured full consideration. Applications and nominations should be sent electronically (PDF preferred) to AvilaPresident@ academicsearch.org. Applications must include a cover letter that addresses the leadership agenda, responsibilities, and qualifications described in this position prospectus; a curriculum vita; and a list of at least five professional references with an email address and a note indicating the candidate’s working relationship with each. References will not be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate. Avila University is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of, sex, race, religion, age, color, sexual orientation, disability, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.academicsearch.org • 202-332-4049ABOUT ACADEMIC SEARCH Academic Search is assisting Avila University in this work. For more than four decades, Academic Search has offered executive search services to higher 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.