President of Alabama State University

The Board of Trustees of Alabama State University (ASU) is beginning a presidential search and invites inquires, applications, and nominations. ASU grants undergraduate degrees in business, education, health science, visual and performing arts, liberal arts, and sciences and advanced degrees in finance, education policy, science, counseling and physical therapy. With 270 full-time and 140 part-time faculty members, the University has an operating budget of $165 million and an endowment of $67.5 million. The University has 5,600 students--2,000 who live on-campus.
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the President is the University’s chief executive officer, responsible for the leadership and management of all academic, business, fiscal and administrative operations of the University. He/she is an extraordinary manager who builds strong relationships and partnerships with constituencies inside and outside the University.
ASU seeks candidates of compelling vision, dynamic presence, and unquestioned integrity. The ideal candidate will have a distinguished record of accomplishment in higher education, business, government and/or the non-profit world. All candidates must have a demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the mission and values of the university, including a commitment to diversity and an understanding of the nature of an urban university. Candidates with a background in higher education should have a terminal degree and academic accomplishments that earn the respect of the academic community. Candidates whose background is in other areas should have professional accomplishment and education at an equally high level.
The successful candidate is an exceptional leader and skilled executive who can articulate a clear vision for ASU’s future and work successfully with all ASU constituencies to achieve that goal. The next President is an inclusive leader, a decisive executive and a proven fundraiser. He/she is an articulate advocate for the University, able to promote understanding of the value of the University’s research agenda, academic mission and unique place in the community.
While firmly focused on the future, the President also appreciates and respects ASU’s storied legacy. Located in Montgomery, ASU was founded by nine freed slaves in 1867 and quickly became a leading educator of African-American teachers. One of the nation’s 105 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and a public institution, ASU today continues to train outstanding educators while evolving into a broad, widely-respected institution, offering nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. As the head of one of the nation’s oldest institutions dedicated to educating future African-American leaders in a variety of fields, the President is a strong, authoritative voice in and for the African-American community locally and nationally. In addition, the President is able to continue the university’s transformation toward 2020 with academic, facility, research, international, and athletic programmatic development.
For additional information on ASU, please visit www.alasu.edu.
Screening of applicants will begin February, 2012 and continue until the position is filled. Nathaniel Sutton, Vice Chairman of Heidrick & Struggles, Inc., will assist the University in this search. Please direct all inquiries, nominations and applications to the address below. Candidates should include a resume and a letter of interest (electronic submissions preferred).
Alabama State University Presidential Search
Heidrick& Struggles, Inc.
1114 Avenue of the Americas, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Email: alabamastate@heidrick.com

Alabama State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer