Open Searches

Wayland Baptist University’s Board of Trustees invites nominations and applications for the University’s 14^th President. The next president will have the opportunity to build upon the Wayland Baptist heritage and rich history of Christian undergraduate and graduate education. The University seeks an energetic, passionate, and inspiring advocate for Christian higher education, bringing successful experience with financial management, growing traditional-aged and adult enrollment, and managing a complex educational organization with nearly 3,000 students across its residential Plainview campus and ten external campuses.

Founded on Christian faith more than 115 years ago, “Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in an academically challenging, learning focused, and distinctly Christian environment.” As such, the goal of our faculty, staff, and administration is to provide the best learning opportunities in the classroom and across campuses, so that our graduates may offer light unto the world.

Wayland provides a practical approach to the liberal arts by offering a broad academic program to residential undergraduates and external-campus adult learners, including 93 undergraduate majors, 65 graduate/master’s programs, and one doctoral program, all across a system of eight Schools and ten campuses. While the home campus resides in Plainview, Texas, Wayland also operates Texas campuses in Lubbock, Amarillo, Wichita Falls, and San Antonio, as well as in Phoenix, Arizona; Anchorage, Alaska; and Mililani, Hawaii. The University offers fully online degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level through WBUonline, a robust online learning environment supported by use of Blackboard Ultra.

Plainview is a thriving, charming community of 20,187 people nestled between Amarillo and Lubbock, Texas. The small-town pace and values are perfect for those who want the amenities of a mid-sized city with the advantages of a close-knit community. Low humidity and clear skies with an elevation of 3,300 feet provide for mild winters and incredible sunsets year around. Summer and winter vacation spots in New Mexico are less than a four-hour drive away and an equal journey in the opposite direction puts you in the DFW metroplex. There is easy access to Amarillo (75 miles) or Lubbock (45 miles) airports.

The next president of Wayland Baptist University (WBU) will embrace the University’s mission and articulate a vision for the University as a leader in Christian higher education. He or she will seek bold initiatives to strengthen Wayland’s brand identity and visibility, supporting growth in traditional and adult enrollment. The president will be a visible advocate for academic excellence and students’ success and will be adept at securing financial resources to support investments in technology, facilities, faculty, and staff. Key challenges for the Plainview campus will be supporting balanced enrollment growth; especially among non-athletes and females; and supporting the University’s program (supported by Title V funding) to enhance retention and graduation rates.

He or she will strengthen effectiveness of the University’s multi-campus model by enhancing communication and efficiency across all campuses. A critical aspect of the Wayland Baptist presidency is the institution’s strategic and historic ties with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and Plainview community. Involvement in both entities is paramount to WBU success and impact. The president will also be an active and strong advocate for Christian higher education at federal and state policy level. Building momentum and enthusiasm through bold leadership and inspiring communication will be critically important in leading Wayland in the years ahead.

Confidential inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Academic Search is partnering with Wayland Baptist University for this search. For more information about the opportunity, institution, qualifications, and application process, please download the full position profile from the Academic Search website. When submitting a nomination, please include the nominee’s full name, title, position, and email address.

Those who are considering applying are encouraged to schedule a confidential conversation with either Senior Consultants, Dr. Stuart Dorsey (stuart.dorsey@academicsearch.org) or Dr. Alan Cureton (alan.cureton@academicsearch.org).

An application should include (in three separate PDF attachments): 1) a letter of interest that responds to the leadership agenda, 2) a full CV/resume, and 3) a list of five professional references, including email addresses and a brief note of the candidate’s working relationship with each. All submissions will be treated in confidence and should be sent electronically to WBUPresident@academicsearch.org.

Note: References will not be contacted until later in the search process and only with the candidate’s permission. A background check (including identity, degree verification, and criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered the position.

Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. For full consideration, please submit materials by Friday, October 27, 2023. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

In compliance with federal law, including provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Wayland Baptist University does not illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, or disability in admissions, or in the administration of its education policies, programs, and activities. Under federal law, the university may discriminate on the basis of religion in order to fulfill its purposes. In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the university does not illegally discriminate on the basis of gender in the administration of its education policies, programs and activities. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the president.