The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) invites applications and nominations for the position of President of Walters State Community College (WSCC). Walters State Community College is a comprehensive, two-year postsecondary institution located in Morristown, Tennessee. Walters State meets the educational needs of the people it serves in 10 counties in east Tennessee and enrolls approximately 5,900 credit-seeking students each fall. The college employs roughly 400 full-time employees, including over 150 full-time faculty members, and operates on a budget of approximately $61 million. Walter State is one of Tennessee’s 13 community colleges. The President is the chief executive officer of the College and reports to the TBR through the Chancellor. The successful candidate will be a dynamic, innovative, and energetic leader with the vision, skills, and integrity required to guide this quality college to higher levels of achievement.
Additional information can be found at the college's website: ws.edu
HOW TO APPLY
The search for Walters State Community College’s next President is being assisted by Academic Search, Inc.
Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted in confidence to WaltersStatePres@academicsearch.org
Materials received by June 10, 2025, can be assured full consideration by the search committee.
The next President is expected to be selected and appointed prior to September 1, 2025.
The application should consist of a substantive cover letter addressing the desired qualifications, experiences and attributes listed in this profile. In addition, the application should include a curriculum vitae and a list of five professional references, with full contact information and a description of your working relationship with each. References will not be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate.
Confidential discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting:
Dr. Gwendolyn G. Joseph - Senior Consultant
email: Gwen.Joseph@academicsearch.org / phone: (281) 889-9299 OR
Disa Mason - Consultant
email: Disa.Mason@academicsearch.org
The Community College System of Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity employer. Under state law, applicants may request that their application and related materials be confidential and not open for public inspection until such time the candidate is selected as a finalist for the position.
The successful candidate will be a dynamic, innovative, and energetic leader with the vision, skills, and integrity required to guide Walters State to higher levels of achievement.
Preferred criteria for selection include, but are not limited to the following:
- Qualifications and experience
- An earned doctorate from an accredited institution (preferred);
- A distinguished record of teaching and experience in public higher education (preferred);
- A minimum of five years successful campus administrative experience at a level with significant decision-making responsibilities affecting an entire campus or as head of a major academic or administrative unit in an academic environment (preferred);
- A distinguished record of extensive senior level administrative experience in a complex business, industry, or government enterprise (preferred)
Expected criteria for selection include:
- A demonstrated commitment to serving students, faculty and staff;
- An understanding of and commitment to the principles of academic freedom, tenure, and shared governance;
- A commitment to attracting traditional and nontraditional students into transfer programs as well as workforce programs (AAS/certificates/diplomas)and promoting approaches to enhance their opportunities for success;
- An understanding of and commitment to enhancing student success through focused efforts on retention, persistence and completion;
- A demonstrated commitment to equal opportunity;
- A demonstrated strength in human relations, communications, planning, financial management, budgeting, and organizational skills to lead and inspire internal and external constituencies of the college;
- Demonstrated ability of being able to lead an institution that is comprised of diverse campuses that meet specific needs in the communities served, recognizing the educational requirements in each community and aligning resources and support to achieve those needs;
- A demonstrated background with an understanding of and commitment to private fundraising;
- An understanding of regional workforce education and training needs and how to strategically position Walters State in a highly competitive postsecondary education marketplace;
- An understanding of and commitment to the role of Walters State as a part of a higher education system;
- An understanding of the needs and concerns of the public and private constituencies of the college, as well as of the college community, including students, faculty and staff, alumni, and other college supporters.