Job description
Newton, Massachusetts
William James College, a highly regarded institution of professional psychology dedicated to preparing practice-ready leaders in mental and behavioral health and organizational leadership, invites nominations and applications for the position of president. The Search Committee and the Board of Trustees seek a mission-driven, relational, and strategic leader to guide this distinctive institution at an important moment of transition and opportunity. Building on more than two decades of entrepreneurial growth under its current president, the next leader will sustain the College’s deep commitment to mission while shaping its next chapter with clarity, focus, and institutional maturity.
Founded in 1974 as the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, William James College (WJC) has grown from approximately 130 students in a single Clinical Psychology doctoral program in 2001 to more than 1,100 students today across sixteen graduate degrees, a bachelor completion degree, and certificate programs spanning clinical, educational, organizational leadership, and community-based behavioral health fields. The College is deeply committed to addressing the nation’s mental health needs and to serving diverse and underserved populations, commitments that are reflected in its distinctive educational model, which emphasizes intensive experiential learning, early and sustained field education, and close faculty engagement that prepares students to apply their training in real-world settings.
The College’s Clinical PsyD program remains its academic and financial cornerstone, drawing nearly 800 applications annually for approximately 100 seats and establishing WJC’s reputation for high-quality clinical training. Complementary programs, including the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Psychology offerings, Organizational Psychology programs, and the Center for Workforce Development, extend the College’s reach and impact. Since 2017, workforce development initiatives have trained more than 4,000 behavioral and community health workers and secured over $25 million in grant funding. WJC is now expanding its flagship Clinical PsyD program into Rhode Island, opening its first out-of-state site in 2027.
Financially, WJC is “healthy but not wealthy,” growing its annual operating budget from $11 million in 2001 to approximately $47 million. The College has grown its net assets from $4 million in 2010 to $30.5 million in 2025 with a combination of cash and quasi endowment of $31 million. Through careful stewardship and programmatic growth, the College has built a stable foundation while remaining largely tuition-dependent, with increasing emphasis on philanthropy, partnerships, and diversified revenue streams.
The next president will have the opportunity to lead an institution defined by academic rigor and real-world impact, with a deep shared commitment to addressing the nation’s mental health workforce needs. Key priorities will include leading the College’s next chapter while sustaining its deep commitment to mission and its relational culture; bringing strategic discipline to the College’s programmatic offerings; advancing the expansion of the Clinical PsyD program and exploring future growth opportunities; shaping the College’s response to emerging technologies, including AI; strengthening institutional systems and infrastructure; enhancing financial resilience and philanthropy; advancing workforce development and community impact; addressing student affordability and outcomes; and strengthening the College’s national profile.
How to apply
William James College has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to support this recruitment. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/william-james-college/p resident
John Isaacson, Chair
Kelly McLaughlin, Managing Associate
Mindy Cimini, Senior Search Coordinator
Isaacson, Miller
William James College is an institution and community dedicated to the principles of excellence, fairness, and respect for all individuals. We are committed to strengthening our communities, including our workplace, by fostering the development of competencies essential for change agents in an increasingly complex society.
This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
William James College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without accommodation.
