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President

Employer
Lamar University
Location
Beaumont, Texas

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Executive Administration Jobs
Presidents & Chancellors
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details

The Texas State University System Board of Regents, the Chancellor, the Search Committee, and the Beaumont community invite nominations and applications for the position of President, Lamar University (LU). The Board and others are seeking a visionary, energetic leader who is innovative, collaborative, and student centered. An individual who will fully appreciate the legacy that is LU and garner the necessary resources to lead the University to new levels of achievement and success.

 

Founded in 1923, Lamar University is classified as a Carnegie Doctoral Research institution and offers over 100 bachelor’s and master’s degrees and five doctoral programs. LU’s mission is supported by 600+ faculty members who educate a diverse student body of more than 17,000, preparing them with the skills and understanding critical for success and leadership in their chosen professions and lifelong learning in a multicultural world.

 

Since 2000, the university has experienced an 80% growth in total student headcount, as well as sharp improvements in student success. There are LU students from 48 states and 17 countries who comprise one of the most diverse university populations in the state of Texas. 60% of LU students are first generation students and LU has been named an “Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution,” with a Hispanic population of 21%.

 

The 300-acre campus, located in Beaumont, Texas, 90 miles east of Houston and 25 miles west of Louisiana, is recognized for the quality of its core curriculum, diversity of its student body and low student-to-faculty ratio, which is 19:1. In addition to its five academic colleges, LU offers students the opportunity to study in numerous locations across the world through faculty-led study abroad programs and in co-op work programs.

 

The campus has a robust student life program with over 150 student organizations and 19 national sororities and fraternities. LU has a long-standing and rich tradition of competitive intercollegiate athletics and participates at the NCAA Division I level. LU is a new member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

 

As a national leader in digital learning, Lamar University is well-versed in all aspects of online education. Since 2005, LU has steadily grown in the number of enrolled students as well as the degree-earning and certificate programs available online. Currently, there are more than 9,000 online learners at LU with more than 50 areas of study from which to choose.

 

Reporting to the Chancellor of the Texas State University System, the President will serve as the chief executive officer of LU and will be responsible for successful leadership and oversight of all facets of the University. The President is not only the leader of the campus community but also the visible representative of LU in the local community, organizations of higher education, and the touchstone for alumni, parents and friends of the university.

 

The ideal candidate for this position is a successful university president or an accomplished senior level higher education administrator, although nontraditional candidates with executive experience in leading complex organizations will be considered. The next President of LU will, among other traits and experiences:

 

  • Bring the leadership skill necessary to advance the vision of Lamar University and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Beaumont and the region by increasing educational attainment, providing avenues for personal and work-related growth, and offering a means to succeed in the global economy.
  • Build partnerships and collaborate for the well-being of LU, its sister TSUS institutions in the region including Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College Orange, Lamar State College Port Arthur, the Texas State University System, the community, and the state of Texas.
  • Bring a strong vision for the University’s future, along with a strategic, thoughtful understanding of how to advance LU in conjunction with the institution’s mission and strategic plan.
  • Be a staunch advocate, a stable presence, and an inspirational leader capable of collaborating with civic and industry partners and orchestrating and driving growth in academic programs, enrollment at all levels, including transfer students, persistence, degree production, and institutional resources.
  • Lead major fundraising initiatives for the University and foster relationships with the philanthropic community.
  • Support intercollegiate athletics and the many benefits it provides to students, the institution, the community, and to alumni engagement.
  • Foster continued growth of the academic enterprise surrounding teaching, scholarship, creative activity, and service.
  • Actively foster a campus culture that values diversity, promotes equity, and pursues inclusion for LU’s students, staff, and faculty across the University.
  • Recognize, develop, and retain talented faculty and staff.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to academic values, students, and faculty, teaching and learning, continuous improvement, scholarship and research, and collaborative, shared governance.
  • Understand emergency management processes and the ability to lead the campus (and community) during crises.
  • Bring a broad and holistic perspective to the institution and support all LU colleges and academic programs.

The Search Committee invites applications to be submitted directly to the search firm, Anthem Executive. Review of completed applications will continue until the position is filled; however, applications received by May 2, 2021 will be given full consideration. Applicants should include: 1) a detailed letter of interest describing relevant experience and interest in the position; 2) a current curriculum vitae; and 3) a list of five professional references with contact information and explanation of the working relationship. References WILL NOT be contacted without explicit permission from the candidate. The new president is expected to assume office by late Summer 2021.

 

To request a full Search Prospectus, to submit nominations, or to submit inquiries and applications, email:

 

LamarPresident@AnthemExecutive.com

Lamar University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of Lamar University not to discriminate on the basis of non-relevant criteria including, but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status in its educational programs, activities, admissions or employment practices.

 

Organization

Texas Roots. Infinite Possibilities.

Lamar University students enjoy small classes where they can build lasting friendships with professors and peers. The 270-acre campus is in Beaumont, Texas, located about 90 miles east of Houston and 25 miles west of the Louisiana border. A comprehensive public university, Lamar gives students a chance to explore a variety of interests to prepare them to succeed in whatever fields they choose.

Academics

A member of the Texas State University System, Lamar University offers 63 undergraduate, 47 master's and nine doctoral degree programs. The university has more than 13,000 students enrolled in five academic colleges - Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Development, Engineering, Fine Arts and Communication. Lamar also offers the College of Graduate Studies and academic programs such as the Center for General Studies.

Students have access to numerous opportunities for scholarships, undergraduate research and study abroad programs. Lamar University students have: 

  • Performed research for NASA and flown experiments on NASA reduced-gravity flights.
  • Presented original research at academic conferences as undergraduates in fields including mathematics, business and sociology.
  • Enjoyed a 73 percent acceptance rate to medical and dental schools in recent years, compared to a 39 percent acceptance rate statewide.
  • Gone on to lead major companies and make a name for themselves in fields from art and music to nursing and engineering.

Athletics

Students can participate in or cheer on their peers in more than a dozen NCAA Division I sports. Last year, the Cardinals were Southland Conference champions in men's golf, cross country and women's tennis. The volleyball and men's basketball teams were regular season co-champs and the women's basketball team was Southland Conference East Division champion. The LU baseball program has produced several major leaguers. The women's soccer program is entering its second season. The golf team has topped national rankings in recent years.

LU is beginning to rebuild a football program. A coach was hired in 2008. The stadium and athletic complex are being renovated, and the Cardinals plan to return to the gridiron in 2010.

Campus Life

A building boom at Lamar University in the past decade has given students access to state-of-the art facilities for learning, playing, dining and living.

Residents of Cardinal Village, the modern residence halls, have private bedrooms, high-speed Internet and amenities including an outdoor pool, basketball courts and community centers. The new dining hall offers a bistro ambience with international and American cuisine.

Working out in the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center is like a trip to an exclusive gym where students have an automatic membership. Features include a 43-foot climbing wall, an elevated jogging track, new cardiovascular and weighttraining equipment, and courts for sports such as basketball, racquetball and indoor soccer. Competitive types can participate in intramural sports ranging from basketball and flag football to dodgeball, cricket and pool.

Making friends and building a social network is easy at Lamar with more than 100 clubs and organizations registered on campus. Through campus organizations, students can:

  • Join a fraternity or sorority
  • Get involved in community service
  • Delve into a cause
  • Nurture spiritual beliefs
  • Start networking in future professions
  • Do all of the above.

LU is a short drive from many outdoor adventures: a day at the beach, canoeing or fishing on area rivers and bayous, hiking in the Big Thicket National Preserve. Shopping and entertainment options also are nearby including theaters, museums and live music venues large and small.

History

Lamar University was founded in 1923 as South Park Junior College a few blocks from the current location. The name changed to Lamar College in 1932 to honor Mirabeau B. Lamar, second president of the Republic of Texas and the "Father of Education" in Texas. In 1951, the school became Lamar State College of Technology, a state-supported four-year institution, the first junior college in Texas to make such a transition. The name changed to Lamar University in 1971. The university joined the Texas State University System in 1995.

Visit/Apply

Visit campus to learn more about all Lamar University has to offer. Guided campus tours normally are scheduled at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To arrange a campus visit, call (409) 880-8316 or e-mail recruitment@lamar.edu

To apply for admission, financial aid and scholarships, go to http://lamar.edu/admissions

 

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