Job description
Lead Alabama’s Only Public Liberal Arts University
The University of Montevallo (UM) invites nominations and applications for its next President at a defining moment in its history.
As Alabama’s only public liberal arts university, Montevallo occupies a singular space in the state’s higher education landscape—combining the intimacy of a small college with the access and affordability of a public institution.
This is not a ceremonial presidency.
This is not a maintenance role.
It is an opportunity to stabilize, renew, and strategically reposition a distinctive institution for long-term strength and relevance.
Why This Presidency Is Different
Founded in 1896 and home to approximately 2,600 students, Montevallo offers more than 30 degree programs across five colleges with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio and more than 90% of faculty holding terminal degrees.
UM is nationally recognized for value and quality, including Top 15 Best Public Regional Universities South and Top 25 Best Value Schools distinctions.
Yet this moment calls for leadership that goes beyond rankings.
The next President will:
- Strengthen financial sustainability and strategic alignment
- Advance enrollment, retention, and student success
- Rebuild trust, morale, and institutional confidence
- Elevate Montevallo’s distinctive liberal arts identity
- Expand philanthropy and external partnerships
- Foster productive, aligned governance with the Board of Trustees
For the right leader, this is a legacy presidency—a chance to shape culture, restore momentum, and guide a mission-driven institution into its next era.
A Mission Worth Leading
UM’s mission is clear and distinctive: to provide an affordable, high-quality, small-college public liberal arts experience focused on intellectual and personal growth.
This is an institution where:
- Faculty know students by name Interdisciplinary learning is real, not rhetorical
- Creative and analytical disciplines intersect daily
- Students graduate prepared for meaningful careers and responsible citizenship
The next President must be a mission-driven liberal arts champion—someone who can articulate why a public liberal arts education matters now more than ever.
The Leader Montevallo Seeks
The University seeks a President who brings both steadiness and forward momentum.
An ideal candidate will be:
- A collaborative change agent who respects shared governance while making disciplined decisions
- A trust-building communicator who leads with transparency and credibility
- Financially and operationally disciplined, aligning resources to priorities
- A relationship-oriented advocate able to build deep donor, alumni, and legislative partnerships
- Student-centered, particularly attentive to first-generation and underserved populations
- An earned doctorate or terminal degree is required, along with a record of leading complex organizations
This presidency requires courage, emotional intelligence, and clarity of purpose.
A Campus Where Leadership Is Visible
The President at Montevallo is not distant from the community. The role is highly visible—to students, faculty, alumni, trustees, and state leaders.
This is hands-on presidential leadership:
- Engaging directly with students at traditions like College Night
- Serving as chief storyteller and ambassador
- Building legislative and philanthropic confidence
- Shaping institutional tone through daily presence
For leaders who value authentic connection over performative distance, this role is especially compelling.
The Setting: Montevallo, Alabama
Montevallo offers a high quality of life grounded in community, culture, and balance. Just 30 minutes from Birmingham, it combines small-town warmth with metropolitan access.
Leaders and their families find:
- A walkable, welcoming college town
- Strong community connections
- Access to arts, culture, healthcare, and travel
- A place where the university truly matters
This is a presidency rooted in place—with the ability to lead meaningfully both on campus and across the region.
A Rare Opportunity
Few presidencies offer:
- A distinctive statewide mission
- Direct institutional influence
- A pivotal moment of renewal
- A loyal, invested faculty and staff community
For a leader seeking to strengthen a unique public liberal arts institution—and leave a lasting mark on its future—Montevallo represents a compelling and consequential next chapter.
How to apply
If you believe public liberal arts education still matters—
If you are ready to align people, resources, and purpose—
If you want to lead where leadership truly counts—
The University of Montevallo is ready for its next President.
The Search Committee invites letters of interest and nominations to be submitted directly to Anthem Executive | Anthem Academics.
Submit materials (CV and letter of interest) to Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, Florene Stawowy, or JR Wheless at:
While applications and nominations may be accepted until the position is filled, interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible to ensure consideration. Anthem and the University reserve the right to end or extend the application and nomination at any time. Expressing interest is the first step in receiving consideration and does not make one an applicant for the position.
The University of Montevallo is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution that prohibits unlawful discrimination in employment and education on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
