President

New College of Florida, a top ranked public, four-year undergraduate institution within the State
University System of Florida, seeks a new president. Located in Sarasota, New College is legislatively
designated to be the residential liberal arts honors college of the State of Florida. 
The president is the Chief Executive Officer of New College of Florida (“NCF”) and reports to the New
College Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Subject to the oversight and governance of the Board, the
president is responsible for all operations of the NCF and for assuring that all of those operations uphold
and are consistent with the mission of the NCF. These responsibilities include overall leadership and
management of the institution, its academic and educational functions, its institutional fundraising, the
development of strategic plans, and fiscal and budgetary plans and the allocation of resources. The
president also has oversight responsibilities for NCF’s private affiliated organizations including the New
College Foundation, Inc., New College of Florida Development Corporation, Inc., and alumni association.
The president will advance NCF’s academic, and outreach efforts to enhance its programs and ensure
that student services and support are provided to create appropriate learning environments.
New College is the only public college or university in the State whose distinctive mission is to provide a
liberal arts undergraduate education of the highest caliber to qualified students from around the
country. NCF does so by providing students with an education that integrates the academic rigor of the
humanities and the sciences with career-building experiences to create a culture of intellectually curious
students pursuing academic excellence and seeking a better understanding of the world within an
educational environment of free speech and academic freedom. The long-standing tradition at New
College combines student contracts and faculty evaluations rather a traditional grading system and
emphasizes independent study projects and a senior capstone project. Since 2001, NCF has earned top
rankings from Forbes, the Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report, Fiske Guide to Colleges, The
Wall Street Journal, and others as one of the nation’s premier public liberal arts colleges. NCF is also a
national leader in Fulbright Scholarship recipients, along with several other accolades.
Notwithstanding the above, NCF in recent years has had a decline in enrollment and has economic and
other challenges. With its history of innovation and commitment to academic excellence, NCF seeks a
president who believes in transforming lives through an outstanding public liberal arts education and
who sees the opportunity for NCF to become one of the top liberal arts universities in the country. At
the same time, as an historic institution originally founded to provide an education free from any bias
based on race or religion, NCF seeks a president who believes in racial and religious non-discrimination.
The president must be an inspiring, visionary champion of the liberal arts with the ability to harness the
energy, talent, resources, and passion of the NCF’s many partners and friends to overcome its
challenges and lead it to achieve its highest goals.
Candidates for the position should demonstrate significant, successful leadership experience in a
complex organizational setting; an understanding of and ability to advocate for NCF’s mission and
uphold its historical commitments; a commitment to the value and promise of outstanding, innovative
classical liberal arts education; a deep and abiding interest in student success and academic excellence;
a proven ability to lead the NCF’s fund-raising efforts; and the interpersonal skills to develop productive
relationships with all members of the NCF community and others key to the success of NCF.

2

Qualities & Characteristics
The next NCF president will have an opportunity to help NCF reclaim its intended standing and
transform a struggling institution into a beautiful, unrivaled, and preeminent public university within the
State University System of Florida.
The following criteria includes qualities and characteristics that have been established by the New
College Board of Trustees in consultation with many alumni, stakeholders, and friends of NCF.
Academic Accomplishments
a) As the highest-ranking official of a major public university, the president should be a
distinguished scholar or leader dedicated to the advancement of academic scholarship. A Ph.D.,
or advanced terminal degree, and/or significant executive experience that would command
respect and complete confidence is required.
b) While academic experience (professional and administrative) is strongly desired, exceptional
candidates can also have demonstrated a high degree of scholarly and administrative success
outside of academia.
c) A passion for and commitment to the academic values of NCF and the capacity to communicate
its mission and needs clearly and persuasively to all external and internal constituencies.
d) Demonstrated commitment to fostering free speech and academic freedom, along with the
ability of all members of the NCF community to express their academic and professional views
openly.
e) Demonstrated commitment to and support for excellence in teaching, research, and service, and
a willingness to champion interdisciplinary collaboration and genuine innovation in these areas.
f) An appreciation and respect for all academic disciplines and a demonstrated support for
scholarly work and academic excellence.
Leadership Experience
a) A dynamic, transparent, and confident leadership style appropriate to be the public face of a
large and prominent public institution with a high state and national profile.
b) The commitment and confidence to embrace an ambitious and expanding vision of NCF to
become and be recognized as a top public liberal arts university.
c) Ability and commitment to accelerate NCF’s enrollment trajectory, including the ability,
fortitude, and strategic vision to take the NCF to the next level by increasing the number of
quality students who welcome and can excel at the academic rigor of NCF.
d) Knowledge of the national trends in higher education, specifically regarding the liberal arts and
classical education.
e) Ability to identify new academic innovations, and establish partnerships with private sector and
governmental agencies, to realize the potential for growth and opportunity at NCF.
f) Ability to improve the performance metrics that inform and impact the NCF’s external rankings
and performance measures established by the Florida Board of Governors and the Legislature.
g) A passion for learning and the belief in the power of education to change lives.
h) A concern with all aspects of the student experience, and the ability to interact with
undergraduates, graduate and professional students.

3
i) A concern with all aspects of the faculty and staff experience and the ability to effectively
interact with faculty and staff.
Collaboration with Stakeholders
a) Ability to inspire trust and confidence among all internal and external constituents and
stakeholders.
b) Ability to serve as a partner to the Board of Trustees and the New College Foundation to
develop NCF’s priorities and strategic plan, leading NCF to successfully carrying out that plan in a
manner consistent with becoming a leading liberal arts institution.
c) Commitment to working collaboratively with the Florida Board of Governors and all elected
state leaders to advance NCF priorities.
d) A track record serving as a relationship builder who is authentic, ethical, and of good character.
e) Demonstrated commitment to the faculty’s participation in governance, including academic
standards and policies, with faculty playing an appropriate role as determined by the Board of
Trustees in decision-making processes that affect the academic and working environment of
NCF.
f) Experience serving as a passionate advocate for a university or organization and the capacity to
establish fruitful relationships with members of the legislative and executive branches as well as
donors, alumni, and other individuals who may be in a position to promote NCF’s agenda and
interests.
g) Demonstrates an effective communication style that would be embraced by a broad spectrum
of internal and external stakeholders.
h) Commitment to NCF’s role as a contributor to local, state, and national economic,
environmental, and cultural vitality, and recognition of NCF as a partner with the community in
which it serves.
Operational Responsibilities
A. General
a) Demonstrated success in leading an academic unit or institution of higher education, including
administrative experience, or experience serving in a senior-level leadership role in a complex
organization in higher education, government, business, or the nonprofit sector.
b) An established history of leading and managing institutional change while achieving long- and
short-term strategic objectives that advance the mission and goals of a complex organization.
c) The ability to develop high-performing leadership teams and to cultivate environments with a
shared sense of mission and culture that encourages entrepreneurism, innovation, strategic risk-
taking, and collaboration.
d) The ability to set clear expectations, priorities, and performance metrics that align with the
vision for NCF and inspire faculty and staff to achieve success.
e) Experience leading an institution during times of uncertainty, crisis, innovation, and opportunity.

4

B. Fiscal
a) A high level of sophistication and understanding of the fiscal issues affecting institutions of
higher education, in particular an astute understanding of public university finances and state-
level budgeting and appropriations.
b) Experience with complex budgetary matters, managing and allocating resources effectively, and
large-scale budgetary decision-making.
c) Experience in identifying and developing new revenue streams from public, private, and
governmental sources.
d) Commitment to collaborate and work with the executive and legislative branch of the Florida
government to serve the mission and fulfill the needs of the NCF.
C. Advancement / Fundraising
a) A demonstrated ability to raise funds, with the capacity to cultivate a broad range of
stakeholders including donors, alumni, and outside supporters of NCF.
b) Demonstrated success in fundraising from public and private sources and working with key
stakeholders to engage them with the institution and willingness to place that activity high on
their agenda.
D. Student Life
a) An appreciation for the significant role of increasing the vibrancy of student life at NCF. Whether
providing better quality services (food, housing, etc), athletics and opportunities for students to
find a balance between the academic rigor and enjoying life on Sarasota Bay.
Application and Nomination Process
The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to accept
applications and nominations until the position is filled.
Applications should include a current curriculum vitae and a letter of interest describing relevant
experience and interest in the position. Submission of materials via email is strongly encouraged.
Nomination letters should include the name and contact information of the nominee.
In accordance with the State of Florida’s open records laws, nominations, applications, and letters of
interest will be held in confidence with only the finalists’ identities and materials made public.
Application materials should be submitted to PresidentialSearch@ncf.edu.