Presidential Search Update

October 30, 2020

Dear Montclair State University Community:

The Board of Trustees has selected WittKieffer, a global executive search firm established in 1970, to support the recruitment of Montclair State University’s next president. WittKieffer is the ninth largest search firm in the country, and works exclusively in the not-for-profit sectors. The firm’s higher education practice has supported more than 100 university presidential searches over the past five years. The Montclair State engagement will be led by Senior Partners John Thornburgh and Robin Mamlet, and assisted by Senior Associate Alejandra Gillette-Teran.

In the near future, WittKieffer will assist in the development of a position description, highlighting the characteristics the Board seeks in the successful candidate for president. The Board will welcome any written comments from the University community on the profile and will set up a mechanism for their receipt. The firm will then assist in the development of a pool of applicants and facilitate the Search Committee in its work of screening the candidates for the Board to consider.

Montclair State University, as it stands today, has an excellent opportunity to attract an experienced and visionary leader, to build on our success and our many strengths, and I am confident that we will be able to recruit such a leader to carry us ably into the future.

Any questions or comments you may have about the search process should be forwarded to University Counsel Mark Fleming at presidentialsearch@montclair.edu.

Sincerely,

Dr. Francis M.C. Cuss
Chair, Montclair State University Board of Trustees