Salem State University Seeks 14th President

SALEM, MA – Salem State University's Board of Trustees has put together a search committee to find the university's 14th president, after President Patricia Maguire Meservey announced her retirement last month.

Meservey lead SSU for a decade, according to a news release. While the search committee hopes to have a new president before next fall, Meservey will stay on until a successor arrives.

"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 search committee has 14 members, appointed by the Board of Trustees. Executive search firm Witt Kieffer will help with the search.

According to the news release, more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students attend SSU from 28 states and 63 countries. The university offers 32 undergrad degrees in liberal arts, human services, and business, and grad programs in 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.

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.

Image via SSU