CCCU Leadership Transition

The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), a higher education association of more than 185 Christian institutions around the world, is seeking a new President to follow the highly successful tenure of Shirley Hoogstra, who has announced her plans to retire from the position later this year.

Dr. Dan Boone, Chair of the Board of Directors and President of Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN, announced in January the creation of a search committee to oversee the process. The committee members are:

• Dan Boone – President of Trevecca Nazarene University, CCCU Board Chair
• David Wright – President Emeritus of Indiana Wesleyan University, CCCU Board Member, Committee Chair
• Sherilyn Emberton – President of Huntington University, CCCU Board Member
• Candice McQueen – President of Lipscomb University
• Chip Pollard – President of John Brown University
• Wayne Lewis – President of Houghton University

FaithSearch Partners, a nationally-recognized executive search firm with a primary focus on recruiting leaders for faith-based institutions, was selected by the Executive Committee of the CCCU Board of Directors to provide management support for the search. Representatives from FaithSearch Partners conducted more than two dozen personal interviews with CCCU constituents in February. In addition, a survey was made available to the CCCU membership, seeking additional input. More than 60 individuals provided responses to the survey. The search consultants then offered a report to the search committee, including a profile of the ideal candidate for the position. The committee approved the document and the recommended process. As a result, the search for a new President is officially underway. 

Among the many expectations for the President, priorities include: maintaining and growing the membership; refining and implementing the goals of CCCU’s strategic plan; working with Congressional and administration leaders to strengthen respect for the Christian mission of member institutions; overseeing CCCU’s significant and varied programming; offering inspirational leadership to staff; and building upon current success to enhance CCCU’s long-term financial stability. 

If the process moves ahead as planned, the search committee will bring a recommendation to the Board of Directors before the end of the summer, with the hope that a new President may begin work by the end of the year. 

“With profound appreciation to Shirley Hoogstra for her vibrant leadership, we now embark on the next chapter of Christ-centered higher education. The guiding hand of God, and the wisdom and discernment of our search team and partners, will lead us as we seek our next president.” - Dr. Dan Boone

"Thanks to the outstanding leadership of President Hoogstra, the CCCU enjoys the strong support of its members, and is positioned to serve those members well in the future.  The Presidential Search Committee is confident that God has prepared an outstanding leader for the Christian higher education movement.  We look forward to pursuing the discernment process with our candidates over the coming months." - Dr. David Wright

Referrals, nominations, and inquiries are invited and may be offered directly to Andrew Westmoreland, awestmoreland@faithsearchpartners.com, or Courtney Fry, cfry@faithsearchpartners.com.