DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS

The next president will be a bold, innovative, optimistic leader with a successful career arc.

• The next leader should have the capacity to lead an alternative educational institution toward academic excellence and student success, while upholding social justice, diversity, equity, environmental stewardship, and service in the public interest.

• The next leader should bring a distinguished record of professional achievement as well as the ability to connect with a diverse network of constituencies, with a view towards enhancing a common vision for the institution’s future.

• The next leader should have an inspiring and engaging communication style, someone who communicates and listens in ways that foster strong relationships, develop shared priorities, and inspire trust and action.

• The next leader should also have a demonstrated ability to provide executive leadership for an institution of Evergreen’s size.

• A terminal degree is preferred but not required.

Here are some important additional qualifications and talents Evergreen seeks in its next president:

Visioning, Strategy, and Innovation

• An understanding of how to improve student enrollment and retention, and promote creative new approaches to meet these challenges

• The ability to lead at a time of transition in higher education, to embrace and work through change, and to guide and develop meaning from complex and charged discussions

• An understanding of higher education’s current circumstances, trends, and innovations

• Respect for the strong liberal arts and sciences tradition of the College and the ability to shape the future by learning from the past

• The ability to develop and advance a comprehensive vision, based on deep understanding of Evergreen and engaging all of its components, including the Tacoma campus, graduate programs, the Native Pathways Program, the Indigenous Arts Campus, and public service centers

Racial and Social Justice

• A commitment to academic freedom and an appreciation for the value brought by diverse perspectives which strengthen the College as a whole

• Experience building strong relationships with marginalized communities in the hiring and retention of diverse faculty and staff

• An understanding and belief in the value of diversity and inclusion, and the importance of having students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds where diverse views are encouraged in a reasoned search for truth and mutual understanding

• Core values and a leadership style that aligns with Evergreen’s culture of inclusion

• The ability to devise, articulate, and promote goals for a campus climate that is inclusive, affirming, supportive, and acknowledging of the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in institutional effectiveness

• Demonstrated and extensive experience working with diverse populations, particularly those historically underserved by higher education

Collaborative Leadership and Community Building

• A record of being supportive of all who work in their institution

• The ability to provide opportunities for professional development in teaching and research within a culture characterized by intellectual curiosity and academic freedom

• Knowledge of Indigenous peoples and tribal nations, including the ability to communicate and relate to a broad range of tribal organizations and members

• A clear understanding of and commitment to shared governance with students, faculty and staff

• The ability to build consensus, collaboration, and cooperation, including experience with constructive labor relations and collective bargaining

• Experience working productively with external stakeholders, including alumni, community leaders, and local, state, tribal, and federal governments, with an emphasis on building sustained relationships with the governor, legislators, and other state government officials

• Successful experience building broad coalitions among elected leaders

• A desire to work with all internal and external constituents at Evergreen to ensure the continued safety of the community through the COVID-19 era and its aftermath

• The ability to ensure a quality work environment for staff, including providing professional development opportunities, and encouraging the inclusion of staff voices in campus dialogue and decision-making processes

• The ability to empower student voices and strengthen their input in College governance, curriculum development, and other decisions

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants should address to the presidential search committee:

• a reflective letter of interest discussing how your background meets the desirable qualifications and prepares you to address the challenges and opportunities;

• a current resume; and

• the names and current contact information for at least five professional references including supervisors, direct reports, and peers. References will be called at a later stage in the search and will not be contacted without prior release from candidates.

Letters of nomination are welcome but not required.

Required materials should be submitted by visiting www.karrasconsulting.net and clicking on “view open positions.”

Applications received by February 19th, 2021 are ensured full consideration. The search will remain open until filled.

The presidential search committee expects to conduct interviews in late March 2021. The board of trustees hopes to conclude an appointment by the end of April 2021.

The successful candidate is expected to assume office during the summer of 2021. Some flexibility on the start date is possible.

The board of trustees and presidential search committee are assisted by Karras Consulting. For confidential inquiries please contact:

Marissa Karras: marissa@karrasconsulting.net Phone: 360-956-1336

Dennis Karras: dennis@karrasconsulting.net Phone: 360-867-1410

By Evergreen policy and presidential search committee affirmation, information from and about all candidates will be kept in strict confidence, with the exception of finalists at the point when each is invited for finalist interviews.

Evergreen is committed to prohibiting discrimination and to building a diverse faculty and staff. The College strongly encourages qualified persons of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, people with disabilities, persons over forty, women, Vietnam Era, and disabled veterans to apply

More Information Here: https://www.evergreen.edu/sites/default/files/2020-12/presidential%20prospectus%20with%20BOT%20amendments.pdf (PDF)