MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) - Middle Tennessee State University trustees confirmed Monday (September 28th) that the search for the university’s next president remains on schedule to replace retiring President Sidney A. McPhee by the end of the year.
The university aims to select its 11th chief executive following McPhee’s decision earlier this year to retire in December after serving more than 25 years in the leadership role. Search Committee Chair Stephen B. Smith told trustees during Monday's quarterly meeting at the Miller Education Center that the goal remains achieving a smooth transition.
The Presidential Search Committee includes all 12 university trustees alongside retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, who serves as the university's senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives. Global organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry, based in Los Angeles, is assisting the university with the candidate search.
Smith noted that the committee conducted more than 15 hours of listening sessions throughout September with various constituency groups to record feedback on candidate qualifications. Korn Ferry is actively receiving and collecting applicant and nominee submissions.
Trustee Tom Boyd emphasized that the committee has not yet seen any applicant lists, ensuring no candidates have been pre-selected ahead of the official deadline.
The deadline for candidate applications and nominations is October 15th. Following the deadline, the committee will review all submissions, select candidates for initial interviews, and identify finalists in November. The university will then invite those finalists to campus for formal interviews and public forums.
Trustees Vice Chair Christine Karbowiak Vanek stated that while the proposed timeline through the end of the year is realistic, the board will extend the process if necessary to secure the right person.
In other official action during Monday's meeting, the Board of Trustees approved appointing Dr. Linda Gibson-Young as the Adams Chair of Excellence in Health Care Services. Dr. Gibson-Young currently serves as the Dr. Bill Lazenby Endowed Professor at Auburn University’s College of Nursing.
Trustees also approved the university’s new 10-year facilities master plan. The plan outlines physical and operational priorities meant to strengthen the academic core through program organization, improved adjacencies, strategic facility modernization, and targeted new construction to support teaching, research, and collaboration needs.
