INTRODUCTION The Board of Trustees of Centenary College, located in Hackettstown, New Jersey, announces the search for the next president. The Board invites expressions of interest in this opportunity to lead a dynamic institution that serves more than 2,000 students annually and has an operating budget in excess of $42 million and is located in the beautiful and prosperous area of northwest New Jersey. Centenary College has responded creatively and effectively to the challenges of offering higher education opportunities to the people of New Jersey and beyond. It has done so by offering an appealing variety of programs on its main campus and strong, well respected, professionally based programs at several off-campus sites. Throughout its history, the institution has maintained its commitment to core values of equal access for all persons and promotion of strong moral values. The College s current president, Barbara Jayne Lewthwaite, is retiring from the presidency on June 30, 2016, after a very successful tenure of eight years. ABOUT THE COLLEGE Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College has evolved from a coeducational preparatory school into a modern, independent, four-year baccalaureate and master-level institution (1910), a four year women s college (1976), coeducational degree programs for adult evening students (1976), coeducational bachelor s degree granting program (1988), a master s degree granting program (1999) and School of Professional Studies. Centenary has international students from more than 20 countries that help to enrich campus life. 400 Jefferson Street Hackettstown, NJ 07840 908-852-1400 x2300 Www.centenarycollege.edu
MISSION STATEMENT Centenary College is an inclusive and collaborative learning community dedicated to preparing its students to enter society as professional and global citizens by providing experiences that foster skills of critical thought and purposeful action. The Centenary experience is distinguished by a fundamental belief in the full potential of each student, a strong liberal arts foundation, career preparation, and a culture of service to the community and to the world. VISION STATEMENT Centenary College strives to be a leader in career-focused liberal arts studies offering programs to motivated learners seeking a degree, professional development or lifelong learning. The fundamental belief in the potential of each student drives the educational environment at Centenary College. A strong liberal arts and sciences base combined with compelling career-focused programs will continue to prepare Centenary students for careers today and tomorrow, fostering a commitment to a lifetime of service and learning.
CAMPUS The main campus has 19 buildings on 42 acres located in the center of Hackettstown, New Jersey. The Equestrian Center has 7 buildings on 65 acres and is located in Long Valley, NJ. The off-campus centers operate in new, modern leased buildings in Parsippany and Edison, NJ. Campus building styles range from the classic Victorian administration building with a gold dome to the state-of-the-art David and Carol Lackland Center, which includes two theatres, dining hall, meeting rooms, classrooms, radio and TV production facilities, dance studios and more.
ACCREDITATION Centenary College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the National Association of State Directors for Teacher Education and Certification, TEAC Teacher Education Accreditation Council, Council for Social Work, and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). COLLEGE COSTS The cost of attendance for undergraduates engaged in full time study is $42,784. DISTINGUISHING THE COLLEGE Centenary College has major strengths in the talent of its faculty and staff, its visionary and inclusive leadership in the administration and trustees, the engagement of the Board in resource development, a conscious approach to civility, which is intentional, strong student engagement, and concerted efforts to enhance the role of faculty in governance through a new Faculty Senate. One of the greatest strengths is the deep bond that exists between faculty and students.
CULTURE OF PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT A culture of assessment has been nurtured for years on the campus with its residential population and with its adult learners, and the professional course offerings have blended well with the liberal arts base of the curriculum. The evolution of the program offerings at the College has benefitted the overall enrollment since it blended undergraduate residential education with off campus adult learners and graduate studies. OFF-CAMPUS LOCATIONS The Parsippany Center is located in one of New Jersey s busiest corporate corridors and lies within reach of international pharmaceutical, health care, and technology companies. Likewise, the Edison location provides ready access to corporate campuses in Middlesex County and is near the Middlesex Community College. The sites have attractive facilities with excellent access for students, state-of-the-art classrooms and several full time faculty. Location is therefore a major asset of the college especially for its main campus. It is located in a suburban setting in the town of Hackettstown in Warren County, New Jersey, in the heart of the Kittatinny Mountain range. The commitment of the administration and faculty to service learning continues as a focus in the Centenary student experience.
DISTINCTIVE PROGRAMS The nationally recognized equestrian program, one of the nation s most prestigious college programs, operates in an impressive Equine Center in Long Valley, New Jersey. The Equine Studies program includes a veterinarian, and the program enjoys an excellent reputation. The Fine Arts program draws thousands of persons to musical and theatrical performances in the new Lackland Center. The Centenary Stage Company is a not-for-profit professional equity theatre in residence at the College. It features more than a hundred programs annually and draws thousands of patrons each year. The Company draws support from a dozen foundations, corporations and hundreds of individual supporters. The Environmental Science Center at the Charles O Hayford Fish Hatchery opened in 2013. The Center features an innovative laboratory, classroom and faculty research space, and serves as an experiential learning facility for students. The program works with the Department of Environmental Protection (NJ) and the Natural and Historic Resources Group. The college offers a variety of scholarship programs including the Hackettstown Scholarship and Presidential Scholars Program, a variety of endowed and annual funds supported grants, and discounted tuition scholarships, to attract special talents and to meet the needs of students.
COMPETITIVE EDGE A close proximity to New York, Philadelphia and other northeastern cities, excellent modern facilities, an improving quality of the student body, a strong and committed faculty and staff, excellent choice of programs of study for the region, a committed Board of Trustees, a collegial and civil spirit on the campus provides an excellent opportunity for the college to transition in its presidential leadership. The Division III athletic programs are also viewed as a major strength for Centenary College, enriching student life and offering the community access to college-level events. The variety of offerings for male and female students is excellent and teams are very competitive. Sound financial management over the past decade also focused on greatly reducing deferred maintenance of facilities. The college expended more than $6 million in renovations which was funded through grants and budgets for depreciation. The work of the trustees and administration with the faculty to develop the Faculty Senate and to have excellent transparent audit procedures helped the College to make the adjustments that were needed on the campus.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP Strategic Finance And Development The new president will have the opportunity to continue and enhance the culture of planning and assessment at the College. The president will be asked to develop a Strategic Plan for 2018-2023 for strengthening academic standing, financial health and reputation. Further opportunity exist s to do more to align the budgeting process more closely to planning and long-term program development. The leadership of the college and the Board of Trustees members agree that the increasing of endowment is a high priority for the future support of student scholarships, faculty chairs, and building maintenance. Since there are current needs that the annual fund supports and additional capital construction is related to the current debt level of $37 million, the leadership will have to be successful in fundraising appeals to increase endowment without reducing the support for other areas of need. Culture Of Planning And Assessment The opportunity exists to continue to build upon sound budgeting approaches that have contributed to the growth of capital funds, and use of student financial aid discount rates to sustain current and planned full-time residential enrollment. Enhanced strategic and financial planning with concurrent program development and revenue streams will provide the greatest benefit. Current efforts to improve the quality of students need to be strengthened so to assure continuing progress in reducing attrition, improving graduation rates. These improvements will strengthen the College s student profile and provide additional students prepared for rigorous coursework and possible entrance into graduate offerings. Board Of Trustees The new leadership inherits a strong Board of Trustees. S/he will need to work to engage fully every member of the Board in helping to obtain additional resources, larger numbers of able students, new friends in the corporate sector and greater exposure to the regional leaders of northwest New Jersey. The Board can play a stronger role in building endowment and meeting the financial needs of the college. Faculty The appropriate balance in the use of part-time and full time faculty holds potential for new leadership to strengthen the educational program and add to the already positive relationship that exists between students and faculty. When part-time faculty are employed strategically, long term relationships with the college develop, excellent student relationships are built, access to corporations and institutions outside the college is advanced, and specialties in curriculum and faculty expertise in key disciplines can be afforded more readily.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP Reward Structures Compensation for faculty and staff will be a continuing challenge because of the level of resources currently available to management to allocate to personnel. The potential to develop new programs with new overhead income to cover basic operational costs is an option. A major effort to raise endowment funds for scholarships, faculty chairs, and building maintenance would supplement the budget in a positive manner. Competitive salary and benefits for faculty and staff would boost morale and help to retain the best and brightest of those that currently are seeking greater rewards for their work. Alumni Support The alumni base of the College is very diverse and greater potential exists to bring this important constituency into stronger relationships with the College. It will be necessary to engage graduates, the professional persons that enhanced their careers with bachelor s degrees, and the large number of adult learners who hold the key to contacts with large corporations and institutions in the region. Greater loyalty and support should be the result of work to integrate further the various alumni groups into the campus culture. It will be important to recognize alumni from all eras of Centenary s evolution. Growth And Service To The Region The college is poised for greater achievement and has a wonderful tradition of service to undergird new enthusiastic leadership for serving well the northwestern region of New Jersey. Also, the college can attract many other northeastern students because of the beautiful location and programs offered by the college. The new president can have a major impact in expanding the College s regional relationships to enhance the image of the college and increase knowledge of the excellent opportunities it offers students. The new leadership will find an exciting opportunity to lead the college in its next chapter of development.
ATTRIBUTES DESIRED OF A NEW PRESIDENT Centenary College seeks a president who embodies many of the attributes that the college values in its students, faculty, and staff: intellectual, creative, visionary, decisive, and morally based. The next president will help advance the College in its commitment to quality education delivered in a caring, family setting. He or she will be: An exemplary leader with personal integrity, sound judgment, character, and approachability. A leader with a strong understanding of the present and future challenges of higher education at all levels of society and the world. A leader who is financially knowledgeable and has skill sets needed to manage a complex institution in a fair and just manner. A strategic thinker who can lead strategic planning for the college and help translate such plans into reality. A leader who will honor the college s history and mission, including its previous role as a two-year college for women; as a current United Methodist related institution of higher education; and as a strongly community based college that serves its immediate community in north western New Jersey. An advocate for diversity in all its forms and a person who will celebrate tolerance, inclusion, openness, differences, and diverse populations within and without the college community. An effective communicator with many constituencies who can articulate the values and distinctiveness of the college. A student-centered leader who will value and interact regularly and effectively with students and alumni. A leader who understands fund and friend raising and has demonstrated success and experience in seeking and leading efforts to obtain gifts and grants. A leader who understands strategic enrollment management as fundamental to building and sustaining a strong and quality student body. A leader who values the blending of liberal arts and professional studies as a focus of curriculum and who shares enthusiasm for a variety of delivery methods for instruction to meet the needs of persons of all ages and backgrounds.
PROCESS OF APPLICATION The presidential search committee will begin review of applications in late October, 2015, in and begin screening with a first round of review of applications in December, 2015. The committee will continue to review applications until an appointment is made. Applicants must include a letter of interest that addresses the content of the Profile and the attributes desired in candidates. A complete application will include a comprehensive curriculum vita and five professional references with email and phone numbers. References will not be contacted without the express permission of the candidate but references will be contacted and should be available in the December and January timeframe. Please submit applications electronically (MS word or Adobe PDF) to the Chair of the Search Wolfgang Gstattenbauer at Centenary College at CentenaryPres@agbsearch.com. Dr. Jim Davis with AGB Search is assisting the search. You may direct inquiries to jdavis@agbsearch.com or phone 540-539-9415. For a copy of the Profile or institutional information, please consult ww.centenarycollege.edu or www.agbsearch.com. Centenary College is an equal opportunity institution and employer.