President

The Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee seek the next president of Southern Methodist University (SMU). A nationally ranked private University located in the heart of Dallas, SMU’s mission is to create, expand and impart knowledge through teaching, research and service, shaping world changers who contribute to their communities and excel in their professions in a global society. This is one of the most exciting leadership opportunities in the academy today given the history, culture and ambition of an exceptional University community located in one of the most dynamic cities and regions in the United States.

Founded in 1911, SMU is a nonsectarian University with a focus on global impact, educating more than 12,000 students (7,000 undergraduate and 5,000 graduate) studying across eight degree-granting schools. Now in its second century, SMU is broadly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty, staff and alumni to be ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. The University’s recent history can be characterized by a rapid ascent in its pursuit of excellence across the academic, research and athletic enterprises. Over the last three decades, SMU has expanded its reach and reputation both nationally and globally, enrolling increasingly high-achieving students from all 50 states and 86 countries. 

For over a century, SMU has remained committed to providing strong undergraduate educational offerings and a campus community supporting personal development and leadership skills in its students, instilling in them strong values that serve them well in their future lives after graduation. At the same time, SMU is bolstering its commitment to research. This includes attracting world-class faculty, increasing the number of Ph.D.s awarded, and steadily increasing research expenditures in its goal to be recognized among the institutions with the highest level of research productivity. The Board of Trustees’ overarching goal for the University is to accelerate SMU’s academic ascent. 

The University has also seen impressive athletic success, marked by the announcement of joining the Atlantic Coast Conference in September 2023. The transition into the ACC is the culmination of a decades-long vision to reestablish SMU Athletics as a nationally recognized program and to complement the outstanding academic reputation of the institution. The move has been strongly supported by the Board of Trustees, generous donors and the campus community. Membership in the ACC places SMU alongside some of the most storied athletic programs and academic institutions in the nation. 

Donor generosity has also driven substantial progress in the current capital campaign, SMU Ignited: Boldy Shaping Tomorrow. The multi-year $1.5 billion campaign, which aims to raise money to support the recruitment and retention of outstanding students, enrich teaching and research, and enhance the campus and community, has already exceeded $1.3 billion toward its goal and is well ahead of its 2028 timeline for completion. 

Now, SMU seeks a president who will capitalize on the University’s already considerable momentum to enhance and strengthen the institution academically, athletically, financially and reputationally. With the impending Research One designation, entry into the ACC and the outstanding success of three comprehensive campaigns, the new president will have the opportunity to develop and drive a vision that builds on SMU’s fundamental strengths. The new president will also have the unique opportunity to create and leverage relationships in a dynamic city in one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions. With a booming economy and substantial population growth that is forecasted to continue for the foreseeable future, SMU’s location in Dallas serves as a significant asset for a new president who will be tasked with fostering relationships that enhance the learning, research, social and career opportunities for the University’s faculty, staff and students.

The incoming president is poised to oversee several exciting accomplishments in the coming years, leading SMU into its next era. The next president will lead with intellectual purpose and clarity, organizational and fiscal acumen, and trust and transparency. They will make decisions in close consultation and with careful consideration of all stakeholders across the SMU community. Building on a generation of remarkable success, the Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee seek a president who will address the following opportunities and challenges: 

• Work effectively and transparently with the Board and SMU leadership, and align the Board, the president, the leadership team and SMU constituencies for maximum impact.
• Collectively define and execute a vision unique to SMU that embraces its history and affirms its commitment to continued excellence.
• Support and advance transformative and enterprising research while simultaneously cementing SMU’s position as a premier student-centered University. 
• Engage deeply and authentically in the local community to amplify the institution’s impact and leverage the metroplex’s rapid economic and population growth.
• Successfully conclude SMU’s momentous capital campaign to power new paths for education, research and community.
• Leverage and capitalize on SMU’s historic move to the ACC to lift SMU Athletics to new heights and positively impact all aspects of the collegiate experience.
• Ensure SMU has the physical and operational infrastructure to fully achieve its aspirations. 

Inquiries, nominations, referrals and CVs with cover letters should be sent below. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.

David Bellshaw and Courtney Wilk-Mandel are leading this search with Jaime Morgen and Drew Nichols.