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Presidential Search

The Search for Columbia College’s 19th President

Columbia College has commenced a search for its 19th president to succeed Dr. David Russell, who will retire in June 2026. To begin the search process, Chair of the Board of Trustees Dale Simons '65 has appointed Trustees Anita Abbott Timmons ’58 and Michael Kateman, Ph.D., as co-chairs of the Presidential Search Committee. The committee is charged with identifying a group of outstanding candidates and making a recommendation of a preferred candidate to the Trustees.

The Presidential Search Committee is comprised of Trustees, faculty, staff, students and alumni who collectively represent the various constituencies of our institution. They will work in conjunction with leadership recruitment firm Buffkin Baker to identify a diverse group of candidates who are committed to the college’s mission, values and future.

To attract the best possible candidates, the search will be confidential, and candidates’ names will not be made public. At the same time, the search committee will aim to be as transparent as possible about our progress and key milestones, providing updates to our community as appropriate.

How to Apply

To make a nomination, provide a referral or for additional information, please use the contact information below. Applications and nominations will be accepted until a successful candidate has been appointed. Review of applications will begin immediately.

View the Presidential Profile to learn more about Columbia College and the qualifications for the position. To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to: ccpresident@buffkinbaker.com

Ken Carrick, Partner – Buffkin Baker
(980) 296-5401

Janny DeLoache, Associate Partner – Buffkin Baker
(704) 377-7828
  • Anita Abbott Timmons ’58 – Indiana, Trustee Emerita 2015, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and Co-Chair of the Presidential Search Committee
  • Michael Kateman – Missouri, Ph.D., Member of Board of Trustees and Co-Chair of the Presidential Search Committee
  • Helen (Dale) Coe Simons ’65 – Texas, Chair of the Board of Trustees
  • Mary Beck DNP, RN, FAONL – Missouri, Member of Board of Trustees
  • Mary Brown – Missouri, Staff Member, Senior Executive Assistant to the President and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees
  • Isis Cruz – California, Columbia College Global Online Program Student
  • Daniel "DJ" Lofton – Missouri, Main Campus Day Program Student and Retired U.S. Navy Officer, SCPO
  • Joshua Muder ’99 – Kansas, Treasurer and Columbia College Alumni Association Representative to the Board of Trustees
  • Jared Opoien, Ph.D. – Texas, Staff Member, Director in the Center for Advising, Retention, and Student Success (CARSS)
  • Jolene Schulz ’61 – Missouri, Member of Board of Trustees
  • Bill Seibert ’09 – Missouri, Member-at-Large, Board of Trustees
  • Gina Singleton – Missouri, Associate Professor, Robert W. Plaster School of Business
  • Col. Robert Walker – Colorado, Ret. ’87, Member of Board of Trustees
The charge of the Trustees of Columbia College to the Presidential Search Committee is to engage in a thoughtful, thorough process to identify, assess, and ultimately recommend the best possible candidate for the Board to consider as the 19th President of Columbia College. Per the bylaws of the College, the Trustees maintain sole responsibility for selecting the next President. This charge details the Board’s expectations for the search process and the responsibilities that the Trustees ask the Committee to undertake.

The Committee among other things will:
  • Be representative of the Columbia College community. While each member is encouraged to bring their own unique perspective to the Committee’s work, members are asked to serve as an institutional citizen, representing the College as a whole and not any particular stakeholder group or constituency.
  • Practice absolute confidentiality in all aspects of the search in perpetuity. The confidentiality includes all information about prospects and candidates as well as all discussions within the Committee.
  • Conduct a search that follows best practices to ensure an unbiased process.
  • Engage in open and honest dialog. Everyone on the Committee is responsible for creating an environment in which each member can openly share their views.
  • Participate actively in all aspects of the search process. The Committee’s work is critical to the future of the College, and each member’s judgment and knowledge of Columbia College is essential to the success of the search.
Key responsibilities of the Committee, working in partnership with our search consultant, Buffkin Baker, include:
  • Actively seek and thoughtfully consider the perspectives of the Columbia College community about what it needs and desires in the next President.
  • Develop a Presidential position profile with input from the Trustees.
  • Through an active, expansive, and inclusive search, consider a pool of applicants that has exceptional qualifications for the Presidential role, is diverse across multiple dimensions, and who understand and embrace the College’s mission, vision, and values.
  • Conduct interviews with shortlisted and finalist candidates and consider input from other stakeholders engaged in the process.
  • Through the Co-Chairs of the Committee, keep the College community informed of the progress of the search at appropriate milestones. The Co-Chairs of the Committee will also make periodic reports to the Trustees about the progress of the search.
  • Share profiles of the finalists and the Committee’s recommendation of a preferred candidate with the Trustees. This information will be kept strictly confidential.
  • Support the successful transition of the next President, as appropriate.
Presented and accepted at the February 20, 2025 Board of Trustees meeting.
  • René Massey '01, Member of Board of Trustees
  • Matt Williams, Member of Board of Trustees

Columbia College At A Glance

  • Columbia College serves 8,000 students nationwide across its online, day and nationwide programs
  • More than 90% of students are primarily taking online or virtual classes
  • The college features 15+ locations in 10 different states
  • CC has launched 26 new academic programs since 2023
  • Columbia College is consistently named a Top Military Friendly institution in the country
  • Nearly 2,000 of CC’s students are active-duty service members
  • The average student age is 31
  • The Cougar Athletics Program has won the American Midwest Conference’s Presidents’ Cup for eight straight years
  • The college is proud to have more than 98,000 alumni around the world
  • CC will be celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2026

2025 State of the College Address

because a future built by you is a future built for you.

Too many people have been made to feel that higher education isn’t a place for them — that it is someone else’s dream. But we change all that. With individualized attention and ongoing support, we help you write a new story for the future where you play the starring role.

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