GENEVA COLLEGE THE SEARCH FOR A PRESIDENT
OVERVIEW OF GENEVA COLLEGE Geneva College provides students an academically excellent, Christ-centered and affordable education. Offering nearly 40 undergraduate majors, Adult Degree Programs with fully online and campus-based options, and graduate degrees, Geneva s programs are recognized for their high quality. U.S. News & World Report ranks Geneva as a Top 10 Best Value in the region with one of the Top 100 engineering programs in the nation. Adhering to the inerrancy of Scripture, a Geneva education is grounded in God s word. Central to its education is a core curriculum designed to prepare students vocationally to think, write and communicate well in today s world. Geneva s beautiful 55-acre campus is located approximately 35 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. The location offers the comfort of a small town with the convenience of nearby big-city attractions, cultural venues and enrichment opportunities.
MISSION STATEMENT Geneva College is a Christ-centered academic community that provides a comprehensive education to equip students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor. Geneva College s mission is Christ-centered, emphasizing student discipleship, comprehensive education, and service to God and neighbor. This is consistent with the college s charter, bylaws and Foundational Concepts of Christian Education, as well as Geneva s historic motto, Pro Christo et Patria (For Christ and Country).
FAITH Geneva s worldview acknowledges God s relationship to every aspect of His creation. Thus, a Geneva education emphasizes the connection between the Christian faith and every academic, athletic and student activity. All of Geneva s faculty are evangelical Christians who are active in their churches, and they are dedicated to preparing students to glorify God by serving in their various vocations. While many institutions founded as Christian colleges have become secular, Geneva has maintained its Christ-centered focus thanks to the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Geneva is a Great Commission school, adhering to Jesus Christ s mandate to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28: 19). This commitment is lived out weekly as the campus community gathers for student-required chapel to praise the Lord and seek His direction, as well as through required courses in Bible, the humanities and political science. And since the college has an open-enrollment policy, some students may be reading God s word for the first time, while others are learning to read Scripture more deeply.
HISTORY and TRADITION Founded and governed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA), Geneva College has been providing a rigorous and affordable education to students for nearly 170 years. Since opening its doors on Thursday, April 20, 1848, the college s dedication to educating students traditional, adult learners and graduate without regard to gender, race or creed has earned Geneva a well-deserved reputation for accessibility. Historical Highlights The college is named in honor of Geneva, Switzerland, where John Calvin emphasized the centrality of God s word to all of life and learning Originally located in Northwood, OH, Geneva moved to Beaver Falls, PA, in 1880 The college established a Female Seminary just three years after opening and became fully co-educational in 1865; Geneva was praised for providing an equivalent education for both genders Geneva opened its doors to freed southern slaves around 1865, an uncommon practice during the post-civil War period A leader in providing adult learners a path to earning a degree, the college initiated an Extension Program in the early 1900s, which laid the foundation for the Adult Degree Programs
GENEVA COLLEGE PROGRAMS Traditional Undergraduate Geneva College s majors include programs in business, engineering, education, biology, communication, psychology, student ministry, and human services. Small classes and caring Christian professors encourage students to grow academically, spiritually and personally. And Geneva s low student-faculty ratio of 13:1 facilitates mentor-student relationships. Geneva also provides experiential learning through leadership training, community outreach projects, internships and over 40 study abroad opportunities. With academic clubs, Spring Break mission trips, student government, small-group Bible studies and discipleship opportunities, there are many ways for students to develop intellectually and spiritually while connecting to the Geneva community. Adult Degree For over 25 years, Geneva College s Adult Degree Programs has offered busy adults a flexible and affordable means to complete a high quality, Christ-centered bachelor s degree. One of the first colleges in the region to offer this type of program, Geneva has only recently added fully online majors in addition to classroom locations throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area. Adult Degree Programs students can choose from the following majors and delivery formats: Child and Family Services (online), Management (online), Organizational Leadership (classroom and online), Human Resources (classroom and online), Human Services (classroom), and Christian Ministry Leadership (classroom). Graduate Geneva provides professional degrees that equip graduates for principled and wise Christian service to their organizations and the world. Graduate students can choose from the following programs: Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Arts in Counseling, Master of Arts in Higher Education, Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, and the fully online Master of Science in Leadership Studies.
PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP AT GENEVA COLLEGE The President of Geneva College has the opportunity to influence the lives of thousands of students through three interconnected areas of leadership: missional, academic, and institutional. Missional leadership refers to the President s responsibility and commitment to protect the mission and champion the vision of the college. The President must have a deep understanding of and passionate commitment to Geneva College, constantly developing, guarding, and promoting its mission. We seek a President who is personally committed to Jesus Christ, who models the life of a disciple, and who reflects those values in his or her leadership. Academic leadership refers to the promotion of scholastic excellence and rigor. In the ever-changing world of higher education, the President, in collaboration with the leadership team and the faculty, must work to continually evaluate and strengthen the academic programs offered. The President should understand the meaning of Reformed, Christ-centered higher education. To exercise this leadership, the President should have appropriate academic credentials and a record of visionary leadership. Institutional leadership refers to the strategic, administrative, and financial aspects of operating the institution. The President must have the visionary ability to make strategic decisions, looking beyond the present into the future. The President must build a highly effective administrative team. She or he must also have competence in the strategic allocation of financial resources, coupled with a demonstrated ability in developing relationships and alliances that lead to significant contributions to the college.
PRESIDENTIAL ATTRIBUTES Geneva College is seeking a President who: Is a mature Christian with moral integrity, passionate about his or her faith, and is an active member in a congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America Is comfortable with expressing Reformed biblical principles to a broad constituency, and has a commitment to the doctrines described in the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Testimony of the Reformed Presbyterian Church Is an inspiring and forceful advocate for Geneva s mission as a Reformed, Christ-centered academic community that provides a comprehensive education to equip students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor Is familiar with the nature of an academic institution, values teaching, learning and scholarship, and gives evidence of the ability to provide strong leadership and sound guidance for the academic program Has experience creating and implementing a strategic plan, developing an organizational vision, and articulating and achieving goals Has demonstrated a track-record of fiscal responsibility and financial acumen Demonstrates the interpersonal skills and energy necessary to be an effective fundraiser, and manifests the ability to develop innovative approaches to attracting financial support from corporations, foundations and private donors Is able to engage a wide range of people; including Geneva s alumni, leaders in the city of Beaver Falls, supporters in the greater Pittsburgh area, and the broader Christian community Has a leadership style characterized by a participative and collaborative spirit; the ability to delegate effectively and the discernment to recognize, the strength to make, and the courage to live with tough decisions Exhibits a pattern of insightful personnel decisions followed by helpful support for the professional growth and development of the people chosen, reflecting evidence of the ability to build a leadership team Has demonstrated the ability to lead in the building and maintenance of a campus climate that reflects and fosters biblical values of management and interpersonal relations Has visibly encouraged others to serve and grow in Christ s kingdom
APPLICATION PROCESS If you sense that the gifts and experience God has given you are a good initial match for Geneva College, we invite you to begin the application process. We will handle all candidate information and conversations confidentially. Please provide the following documents and responses for review: A current resume or CV Responses to the following in 100-1,000 words each: 1. Describe your spiritual journey and statement of faith. 2. What is your perception of challenges and opportunities faced by Christian higher education in the next 10 years? 3. Describe the skills and experiences in your life that lead you to believe that you can be an effective leader for Geneva College. The names and contact information (telephone and email) for your pastor and four other references who know you and your career well enough to comment on your suitability for the presidency of Geneva College (references will be contacted only after we have requested and received your permission to do so) Submit this information in electronic format to: Barbara J. McKenzie Administrative Assistant to the President P: 724.847.6610 F: 724.847.5238 bmckenzi@geneva.edu For optimal consideration, please submit your material by September 15, 2015.