The future and our next leader

As Indiana University enters its third century, higher education is facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities given the ongoing pandemic and how we all learn, teach, and work. IU is excited to welcome a new leader who will lead and guide us into this new world while preserving the rich traditions and academic excellence everyone has come to expect from Indiana University.

To read more about what we're looking for, you can find more details below or download our full Leadership Statement PDF. 

What we're looking for

Reporting directly to the Board of Trustees, the president is responsible for the effective operation of the university. The board is seeking a leader who is strategic, visionary, student-centered, and capable of addressing the challenges and opportunities facing major public universities this decade and beyond. The selected individual will possess unquestioned integrity, exemplary communication skills, and the ability to manage a large, complex, multi-location higher education university.

Outstanding managerial skills, financial acumen, and the ability to raise funds and develop additional revenue streams are all important characteristics. Candidates must value a worldclass faculty and demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The best candidates will also possess a majority of the following attributes and characteristics:

• A passion for educating students and changing lives; a deep commitment to increasing access to higher education in the state, including an emphasis on underrepresented and firstgeneration college students.
• Visionary leadership, with a discerning strategic approach to the challenges and opportunities facing higher education generally and IU specifically; experience with developing a strategic plan that will ready the university for the future and will reaffirm its mission and identity.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; inspires and expects a diverse student body, faculty, and staff; promotes multiculturalism and anti-racism.
• Dedicated to the value of a complex and critical research enterprise and its role in enriching lives in our state, country, and the world. Can demonstrate leadership of a culture committed to discovering, inventing, and creating.
• Understanding of higher education financial challenges and issues, particularly those facing public institutions; financial acumen and the ability to develop a comprehensive and fiscally responsible university budget.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills characterized by a positive desire to engage others: personable, approachable, open, enthusiastic, honest, trustworthy, transparent, empathetic, warm, and possessing a sense of humor. A collegial and adaptable style; the ability to listen and learn while demonstrating fairness, and respect for others.
• Commitment to consensus-building, teambuilding, collaboration, and interdisciplinarity as foundations of excellence throughout the university; but has the ability to act decisively when necessary.
• Ability to generate resources for the university, including both public funding and private philanthropy and to connect these resources to the mission of the institution; recognize that effective fund-raising for the university is a necessary activity of a university in the 21st century as well as effective donor and alumni engagement.
• Is capable of appropriately recognizing, appreciating, and managing the unique missions of an AAU institution with a national and international reputation, a major urban research institution, and five regional institutions that provide access to a quality higher education experience.
• Experience working with federal, state, and local public officials; ability to effectively communicate and elevate the understanding of the value of public higher education; the ability to work with and communicate the IU story to state and federal officials; effectively advocate for needed legislative funding.
• Strong belief in shared governance, partnering with faculty and other constituencies on key issues affecting the academic mission of the university; respect for and understanding of the importance of academic freedom and promotion and review.
• Genuine engagement and enthusiastic participation in the everyday life of the university, enjoying a visible presence on campus, and welcoming participation in the social, cultural, and educational life of the state. Participate as an active member of organizational and community boards outside of the university.
• An understanding and appreciation for intercollegiate athletics, as well as the benefits and challenges they present beyond and within the Big Ten Conference.
• Ability to create and enhance partnerships with business, industry, community partners, and other educational institutions statewide, nationally, and internationally.
• Commitment to faculty and staff development.
• Understanding and commitment to technology, innovation, and engagement through development and collaboration within the business community.
• Understanding of global partnerships and collaborations within the higher education framework.