Messiah University Board of Trustees names presidential search committee

Messiah University Board of Trustees names presidential search committee

Craig Sider, D. Min., chair of the Messiah University Board of Trustees, publicly announced today the formation of a presidential search committee and the selection of an executive search firm to partner in the national search for the university’s next president.

“I am very pleased to announce the members of Messiah’s presidential search committee. After speaking with each person, I am both humbled and eager to work with a group that is committed to prayer, discernment, confidentiality and a spirit of unity in coming together to serve the future of Messiah University,” said Sider.

“The university has additionally selected FaithSearch Partners (FSP), one of the largest and most respected faith-focused executive search firms in the U.S., to support and partner with us through this critically important process,” continued Sider. “FSP will guide the search committee through listening sessions with constituent groups and be a partner in recruiting and reviewing exceptional candidates who are a mission fit to serve and to lead as the ninth president of Messiah University.”

Messiah’s 16-member presidential search committee includes trustees, alumni, undergraduate and graduate faculty, administrative staff, as well as the president of the Student Government Association. Additionally, in keeping with the longstanding covenant agreement with Messiah’s founding denomination, the Brethren in Christ Church, the national director of the Brethren in Christ U.S., will also be a part of the committee.

Messiah University Presidential Search Committee members

Board of Trustees members

·      Dr. Craig E. Sider – trustee chair

·      Mr. David Millary ’88 – trustee vice chair

·      Ms. Linda Eremita – trustee secretary

·      Honorable Sherrie Bailey – trustee

·      Mr. Scott Heintzelman ’89 – trustee

·      Mr. Rod Musser ’83 – trustee

·      Dr. Alan Robinson – trustee/national director of Brethren in Christ, U.S.

·      Mrs. Eunice F. Steinbrecher ’58 – trustee

·      Mrs. Jessica Thomas ’08 – trustee

Faculty and staff members

·      Mrs. Kathee Clark – registrar, chair of the Community of Educators

·      Dr. Leah Clarke – director and professor, Graduate Program in Counseling

·      Dr. Henry Danso – professor of psychology, chair of the Ranked Faculty Affairs Committee

·      Dr. Brian Swartz – chair, professor, Department of Engineering

·      Ms. Tovah Wilson ’15, M.A. ’20 – director of annual giving and donor communication

·      Dr. Emerson Powery – dean, School of Arts, Culture and Society

Student member

·      Sam Ramos ’25 – student body president

Sider also announced the coming launch of a new website later this month that will provide information and updates on the presidential search for members of the campus community and the public.

“On behalf of the board and the presidential search committee, we invite members of the Messiah community to be fully engaged and to stay informed of the progress of this important search,” said Sider.

Retirement of President Kim S. Phipps

On June 4, Kim S. Phipps, Ph.D., announced her plans to retire at the end of the 2024-25 academic year, having served for 20 years as Messiah’s eighth president. “We are launching this presidential transition from a position of strength,” said Sider at that time. “During her tenure, President Phipps has raised Messiah’s visibility as a nationally recognized private Christian university and has created a solid foundation for Messiah’s growth and future,” he added. “The board is committed to finding the right person for the presidency who can faithfully lead and effectively continue to advance Messiah University’s distinctive Christ-centered educational mission.”

About Messiah University

Founded in 1909 and located near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Messiah University is a nationally ranked, private Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences that enrolls 3,320 undergraduate and graduate students.