Washington and Lee University - Search for the President

Over the coming months, the Search Committee will explore many avenues for securing a field of presidential candidates that is as broad and talented as possible. As we commence our work, the committee will define the qualities and qualifications that are important for our next president. This survey is designed to capture the views of community members and ensure everyone has a voice in this definitional process. We are grateful to all who respond to this survey and will pay close attention to your responses.

If you would like to nominate anyone for the position, please visit https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/washington-and-lee-university/president and click "nominate."

*1.What is your primary affiliation to W&L? (Select all that apply.)(Required.)

Alumnus/alumna

Local community resident

Student

Parent

Staff member

Faculty member

Other (please specify)

*2.Which of these issues should be the most important priorities for Washington and Lee's next president? (Select up to five responses.)(Required.)

Campus Community: Fostering civil discourse, intellectual pluralism, mutual respect, and belonging in a diverse university community.

Campus Infrastructure: Investing in modern facilities that support academic innovation, residential life, and athletics.

Faculty Support: Enhancing the university's ability to recruit, retain, and support top-tier faculty who embrace the teacher-scholar model.

Diversity: Expanding the socioeconomic, ethnic, religious and cultural diversity of the university community.

Institutional History: Commitment to understanding, preserving and teaching the university’s history.

The Honor System: Preserving and reinforcing the Honor System as the bedrock of campus culture.

Experiential Learning: Expanding opportunities for internships, global study, and student-faculty research.

Campus Life: Commitment to a residential and social experience that is conducive to student success, thriving and satisfaction.

Interdisciplinary Education: Capitalizing on the university’s distinctive combination of liberal arts, preprofessional programs, and graduate School of Law to enhance interdisciplinary learning.

Legal Education: Enhancing resources and financial support to attract and retain top students and scholars to the School of Law.

Access: Expanding financial aid to make W&L affordable to a talented student body from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Technological Innovation: Developing a strategic approach to integrating emerging technologies into teaching and research.

Academic Excellence: Investing in top-quality academic programs, resources, and student opportunities to enhance academic excellence in the service of the university’s broader mission.

Athletic Excellence: Commitment to an outstanding student-athlete experience within a premier Division III athletic program

Career Outcomes: Strengthening student support and pipelines into meaningful careers.

National Reputation: Strengthening Washington and Lee’s national reputation as a premier liberal arts university and graduate School of Law.

Greek Life: Commitment to sustaining and enhancing a vibrant and inclusive community of fraternities and sororities on campus.

Other (please specify)

*3.What are the most important personal characteristics for the next president to have in order to be successful? (Select up to THREE responses.)(Required.)

Resourceful: The capacity to conceive creative solutions to complex problems that serve the university's long-term best interests.

Ethical: A leader who embodies the Honor System and leads with moral clarity.

Visionary: The ability to articulate a compelling future and ambition to achieve W&L’s highest potential while respecting the university's unique traditions.

Decisive: Demonstrated ability to set priorities, make difficult decisions, and maintain a steady course to achieve stated objectives.

Persuasive: A gifted communicator and storyteller who can inspire and persuade faculty, students, staff, alumni, donors, and the public.

Approachable: A visible and engaging on-campus presence who is genuinely interested in student and faculty life.

Collaborative: A commitment to building relationships and listening to diverse campus voices.

Empathetic: High emotional intelligence and the ability to connect with people across all backgrounds.

Resilient: Calm and decisive leadership in the face of institutional challenges or public scrutiny.

Perceptive: An ability to understand and navigate the complexities and external perceptions of higher education today.

Other (please specify)

*4.What skills and experience are most important for the next president? (Select up to five responses.)(Required.)

Technological Innovation: The ability to leverage the University’s strengths to prepare students for success in an evolving technological landscape.

W&L Affiliation: Prior connection to the university (alumnus/a, parent, faculty member or administrator)

Alumni Engagement and Fundraising: A proven record of deepening alumni engagement, increasing long-term philanthropic participation, leading major capital campaigns and securing transformative gifts.

Government Relations: Experience developing strong relationships with state and federal government officials and navigating public policy, legislative advocacy and the complex regulatory landscape affecting higher education.

Liberal Arts Background: A deep appreciation for the liberal arts and the rigor of a W&L education, rooted in educational or leadership experience at a highly selective liberal arts college or university.

Values-Based Environments: Experience leading within an institution with a strong Honor System or specific moral mission.

Governance: Experience working effectively with a Board of Trustees, faculty and administration to enhance collaboration and transparency.

Marketing and Branding: A proven ability to elevate an institution's national profile and brand differentiation.

Scholarship: An active and respected teacher-scholar in a field taught at Washington and Lee.

Fiscal Management: A deep understanding of and experience with managing budgets and endowments of complex organizations, ensuring long-term financial sustainability and growth of the university endowment to support strategic priorities.

Strategic Planning: Prior experience building a long-term strategic plan that defines institutional priorities for the next decade.

Executive Leadership: Proven ability to identify talent; build, support, and mentor collaborative teams; and communicate and lead effectively across constituencies of a complex organization.

Student Life: Experience overseeing residential life, social and Greek Life, athletics, and the student experience.

Community Relations: Deepening the partnership between the university and the Lexington/Rockbridge community.

Academic Administration: Senior-level administrative experience within a high-caliber academic environment.

Other (please specify)

5.As you look forward, what must the next president preserve at W&L, and what must be enhanced?

6.What must the next president do to be genuinely successful at W&L?

7.What is your name and email? Please include both in the box below. [optional]
Providing your name and email address will allow the committee to contact you should they have any follow-up questions or seek clarification. This information will not be shared.

Washington and Lee University - Search for the President - Community Survey