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Nicole Giambusso
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2017
CONTACT:
Nicole Giambusso
(o) 978.542.3019 | (m) 978.880.0152
ngiambusso@salemstate.edu
Salem State University Launches Search for 14th President
SALEM, MA – A search committee established by Salem State University’s Board of Trustees has launched a national search for the university’s 14th president, following the January announcement of President Patricia Maguire Meservey’s plans to retire after a decade of leadership.
The 14-member presidential search committee was appointed by the Board of Trustees and represents the diversity of Salem State’s disciplines and community. Following a Request for Proposal issued last month, the committee has selected Witt Kieffer, an executive search firm specializing in higher education, to assist with the search.
“We’re launching a national search for a high energy, proven leader to build on Salem State’s tremendous momentum,” said Teresa Chisholm, chair of the presidential search committee and a member of Salem State University’s Board of Trustees. “Salem State’s 14th president will require the skills and experience to continue driving academic excellence and student success, while acting as a vital community partner in the North-of-Boston region.”
The university currently serves over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 28 states and 63 countries. It offers 32 undergraduate degree programs in the liberal arts, human services and business, along with graduate degrees in programs such as education, science, humanities, business, criminal justice, and nursing, among others. The university also has a continuing education division that offers both credit and non-credit programs.
“Salem State’s 14th president will have the opportunity to build on tremendous growth that took place under President Meservey’s leadership, including achieving university status in 2010, a 15 percentage point increase in graduation rates, new state-of-the-art academic and student life spaces, and a successful fundraising campaign raising over $26 million,” said Chisholm.
While the presidential search committee anticipates naming the university’s next president before the start of the next academic year, President Meservey has committed to remaining in her role as president until her successor arrives on campus.
More information about Salem State University’s presidential search, the presidential search committee, and upcoming meeting dates can be found at salemstate.edu/presidential-search.
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Salem State University, established in 1854, is a comprehensive, public institution of higher learning located approximately 15 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts. One of the largest state universities in the Commonwealth, Salem State enrolls over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers 32 undergraduate degree programs in the liberal arts, human services and business, along with graduate degrees in programs such as education, science, humanities, business, criminal justice, and nursing, among others. The university also has a continuing education division that offers both credit and non-credit programs. Known for the academic strength of its faculty, Salem State was named a Top Producer of U.S. Fulbright Scholars in 2011 and for the 2016-2017 academic year. In 2015 and 2016, Salem State was recognized as one of the top 100 women-led businesses in Massachusetts by the Commonwealth Institute and Boston Globe Magazine.