St. Mary’s College of Maryland has commenced a search for its eighth president with the naming of a Presidential Search Committee, following the May 9, 2024 announcement from President Tuajuanda C. Jordan, Ph.D., that she will retire in June 2025.
The St. Mary’s College of Maryland Presidential Search Committee is working in conjunction with leadership recruitment firm WittKieffer to identify a diverse group of candidates who are committed to SMCM’s mission, values, and future.
Please check back for updates as the search process continues.
Letter to SMCM Community, Dec. 11, 2024
A Message from the Board of Trustees Chair
Dear SMCM Community,
I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the magic of the holiday season as finals week and the fall semester come to a close.
The last few months have been an exciting time for the College on a number of fronts. Today I want to provide you with an update on the search for our next president.
Recruitment has been going strong and we have been pleased by the number and quality of candidates who have found themselves drawn to SMCM, our mission and the opportunity to lead us as we soar to new heights. Candidates have commented on the many qualities that make the College such a special place with many citing clear evidence of active community engagement. I am grateful to all who participated in listening sessions, sent valuable feedback and nominated potential candidates for consideration.
Presidential Search Committee Chair Ray Wernecke and search committee members are deep into their work. They are currently reviewing the impressive pool of candidates from which they will choose a small group of finalists before their work is done and the process moves forward. As you can see on the Presidential Search website, the next few months will be spent performing further due diligence and interviewing candidates. We are confident that this work will result in our finding our next leader among this compelling slate of applicants.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I offer my thanks to the search committee and all faculty, staff, students and other members of the SMCM community for their ongoing commitment to the College and to this search.
I wish all of you and your loved ones peace and joy this holiday season.
John Bell
Chair, SMCM Board of Trustees
Presidential Search Timeline
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September through mid-October 2024: Community-wide listening sessions and input survey; development of leadership profile and launch of the national search.
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December 9, 2024: Priority Application Date
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Mid-October through December 2024: Candidate recruitment; semi-finalist selection
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January-February 2025: Candidate interviews; referencing and due diligence; and further winnowing of the candidate pool
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Spring 2025: Election of the new president by the Board of Trustees
Listening Sessions and Community Input Survey
Faculty, staff, students, friends and local community members were encouraged to participate in listening sessions. For those who were unable to attend a listening session, input can also be shared via this confidential survey.
In addition, to provide confidential input to WittKieffer, please email SMCMPresident@wittkieffer.com.
Presidential Search Committee
Trustee Ray Wernecke has agreed to serve as chair.
The other committee members are:
- Nicolas Abrams ’99, Trustee
- Dinush Athauda ’26, Student and SGA Vice President
- Donny Bryan ’73, Trustee
- Susan Dyer, Trustee
- Todd Eberly, Professor of Political Science and Faculty Senate President
- Kate Fritz ’04, Trustee & Alumni Association President
- Sven Erik Holmes, Trustee
- Ayse Ikizler, Associate Professor of Psychology
- Kimberly B. Kelley, Trustee
- Elizabeth Leininger, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Neuroscience
- E. Jenell Sargent, Associate Vice President of Information Technology & Chief Information Officer
- Marsha Williams, Community Member and Adjunct Instructor
- John J. Bell ’95, Chair, Board of Trustees (ex-officio)