President

Samford University seeks a President to succeed Dr. Andrew Westmoreland, who has announced his retirement as of June 30, 2021. Westmoreland’s 15 years of leadership have yielded a remarkable record of growth in enrollment, expansion and recognition of academic quality, strength in finances and philanthropic support, and development of campus facilities. With a stable and supportive board of trustees, Samford provides an exceptional environment for leadership, having had only four presidents in the past 81 years.

Samford is a nationally ranked doctoral/professional Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts and a distinct blend of graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education ranks Samford second in the nation for student engagement and first overall in Alabama, a position held every year since the rankings’ inception in 2016. U.S. News & World Report ranks Samford 86th in the nation in its Best Value Schools. Samford enrolls 5,729 students from 47 states and 30 countries in its 10 academic schools and fields 17 NCAA Division I teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference.

Samford’s 179-year history is one of academic excellence and leadership. As a private, Christian institution, Samford remains firmly rooted in its identity and mission while continually expanding educational opportunities and experiences for its students. Samford increases its influence by graduating students capable of addressing the profound challenges facing today’s society. Samford’s strong character positions the university as a place of hope and as a guiding light for future generations of thoughtful leaders.

For its nineteenth president, Samford seeks a leader who exemplifies the university’s distinctive Christian identity and mission while articulating a vision and demonstrating strategic capacity to expand educational opportunities and experiences for our students; who understands and values the task of the teacher-scholar, and who prizes learning. The president must be a strong communicator in both written and oral forms, a team-builder and an individual with authenticity and compassion. The president must demonstrate careful stewardship of the university’s finances and possess an eagerness to procure, plan and prioritize resources.

Samford University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degrees. Constituent schools are also accredited by one of the following: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, American Bar Association, Association of Theological Schools, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Council on Education for Public Health. Several academic programs and departments are also accredited or certified by national organizations.

Inquiries, nominations and resumes may be sent to the address below. All nominations will be acknowledged and held in confidence.

Presidential Search Committee

Dr. Michael D. Morgan, secretary

Post Office Box 293778

Birmingham, Alabama 35229

presidentialsearch@samford.edu

samford.edu/go/presidentialsearch

In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments, the University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, religion, or any other protected status under federal, state or local law applicable to the University, in its education policies, programs, and activities, in its admissions policies, in employment policies and practices, and all other areas of the University. As a faith-based institution, the University is exempted from certain laws and regulations concerning discrimination.