Presidential Search

April 16,  2026

The Presidential Search Committee is pleased to share an important update on the search for the University’s next president. After a thorough and thoughtful process of reviewing applications and engaging in multiple rounds of evaluations, the Committee is delighted to announce that we have reached the next step in the search process.

We are excited to invite four finalists to campus for in-person interviews. Information about each finalist, including their biographies, and campus itineraries, can be found on the Presidential Search Committee webpage (see link above).

The finalists will visit campus during the week of April 20 and the beginning of the week of April 27. During their visits, all University constituents are invited to engage with the candidates. These visits will include Q&A sessions for students, and faculty and staff (see webpage linked above for link to submit questions in advance). There will also be an open forum during which each candidate will offer a brief introduction and respond to questions that will include a livestreamed option to allow for broader participation from community members that might not be able to travel to campus. Your attendance in-person is encouraged and appreciated.

See the itineraries for a full list of moderated sessions and a link to submit questions that might be asked of ALL candidates in advance. Those questions should be submitted by noon on Sunday (4/19). As each candidate visits campus, should you have a question that you would like to be considered for a particular candidate, please submit that question directly to Dr. Alex Beringer (faculty), Kacie Slaughter (staff) and Caleb Jernigan (student) in preparation for the sessions.

The Committee strongly encourages all members of the University community to take part in these sessions. Your engagement is a vital part of this process. All campus constituents who participate in the on-site interviews are encouraged to share their perspectives by completing a brief feedback survey that will be made available during each campus visit. Your feedback will be essential as the final selection is made.

As we move forward in this important moment for the University, we are reminded of the spirit, captured in our Alma Mater, that continues to define Montevallo: “Sons and daughters sing thy praises, Steadfast virtues win the fame.” This sense of shared pride and purpose underscores both the significance of this moment and the importance of participation from across our campus community. Join us in welcoming each of these candidates and highlighting all that is distinct about our campus and community. The selection of the University’s next president represents an important milestone — one that will help shape the University’s future while honoring its distinctive history, mission, and commitment to students. We are grateful for the continued engagement, thoughtful input, and shared commitment of our campus community throughout this process.

Matt Arnold

Trustee, University of Montevallo, and Presidential Search Committee Chair

February 11, 2026

Thank you for your continued engagement and support as the Presidential Search Committee advances this important and meaningful work on behalf of the University of Montevallo. We remain deeply grateful for the thoughtful insights you shared through town halls and surveys, which so clearly articulated the distinctive character of UM and the leadership qualities most essential for our next president.

Drawing directly from this community input, Anthem Executive has developed a comprehensive Presidential Prospectus that presents prospective candidates with a compelling picture of the exceptional opportunity to lead our institution. We encourage you to share this prospectus broadly within your professional networks. If you wish to recommend individuals for consideration, please submit names and inquiries to PresidentUM@anthemexecutive.com.

In the weeks ahead, the committee will carefully review the candidate pool and select individuals to advance to on-site interviews. We have now entered a quiet phase of the search process, allowing for thoughtful and thorough candidate evaluation. While this phase limits what can be shared publicly, we want to assure the community that the work continues with great care, integrity, and purpose. Visit here for future updates and information about on-site interviews.

Thank you again for your trust, participation, and commitment to the future of the University of Montevallo. Your engagement continues to be an essential part of shaping the next chapter of our institution’s leadership.

Matt Arnold | Trustee, University of Montevallo and Chair, Presidential Search Committee Chair

Presidential Prospectus(PDF)Chronicle of Higher Education Advertisement

January 12, 2026

The Board of Trustees has chosen Anthem Executive as the consulting firm for UM’s presidential search. The Presidential Search Committee’s inaugural meeting will be on Friday, January 16. A projected timeline will be posted here following that meeting.

Anthem Executive will be on-site facilitating listening sessions on January 22^nd and 23^rd. That schedule will be posted here and shared in campus announcements in the coming days. An online survey will also be provided. These listening sessions and the survey will allow all stakeholders to share their perspectives and identify the critical attributes we should seek in our next president. That information will be used by the Presidential Search Committee and Anthem Executive to create the leadership profile and job announcement for the position. Anthem Executive will begin the process of candidate identification as soon as possible.

The presidential transition provides an opportunity for all of us to come together in conversation, affirm our commitment to our mission, and align around our vision for the future of UM. We look forward to your engagement and to the insights you will bring to this important process.

We invite you to visit this site for updates on the process. Thank you for your continued interest and support as the Presidential Search Committee carries forward its important work.

Matt Arnold | Trustee, University of Montevallo and Chair, Presidential Search Committee Chair

September 5, 2025

The University of Montevallo Board of Trustees (BOT) is pleased to announce the launch of the search for the next president of the University of Montevallo. As we begin the important work of identifying the next president of our institution, we do so with a deep sense of responsibility, purpose, and optimism for the future. We are currently in the process of selecting a national search firm to support and guide the important work of the Presidential Search Committee. We presently are receiving proposals and anticipate selecting a firm by the middle of November.

The BOT has selected the Presidential Search Committee composed of 13 members with representation from the Board of Trustees, the University Foundation, Alumni Boards, the Faculty and Staff Senates, and the Student Government Association. We are preparing to hold the committee’s inaugural meeting in November after the consulting firm is selected.

As the process moves forward, we plan to keep you – our students, alumni, faculty, staff, the Montevallo community, friends, and generous donors – informed on the progress of the search with periodic updates posted here. While certain stages of the search will require confidentiality, we will strive to ensure transparency in the process. We will also use this website to invite all constituents to engage with us and provide feedback through meetings and a survey, ensuring that your voices help shape the future of our university. Your perspectives are essential in helping us find a leader who will guide our institution with integrity and a deep commitment to our mission and vision.

We are deeply grateful for the leadership of UM’s Interim President, Dr. Terry Roberson, and for the dedication of the administration, faculty, staff, and the entire university community as we work to ensure a bright future for UM. As we seek a new president to build on UM’s 129-year legacy of providing a “small college” public higher educational experience of high quality, we are reminded of the blessing for the future that we sing in our Alma Mater: “May the years be rich and fruitful, Truth and honor crown thy name.”  We recognize that selecting a new president is one of the most significant decisions in the life of a university, and we are confident that, with your help, we will find the right leader for our beloved university.

Matt Arnold | Trustee, University of Montevallo and Chair, Presidential Search Committee Chair

Matt Fridy | Trustee, University of Montevallo

Cynthia Todd | Trustee, University of Montevallo