First of four WWU presidential search phases begins

By Aaron Nakamura

WWU director of marketing and university relations

The first of four presidential search phases to name the 24th president of Walla Walla University has begun. Supporting firm, FaithSearch Partners, will conduct several meetings on Wednesday, February 7, and Thursday, February 8, at Walla Walla University’s College Place campus to meet with key stakeholder groups to document expectations, needs, and other information that will play a pivotal role for the Presidential Search Committee.

The presidential search process will take place in four stages:

• Phase 1: Assessment and inventory of ideal candidate traits and skills
  FaithSearch Partners meets with all key stakeholders related to the position, including members of the Board of Directors, Presidential Search Committee, direct reports to the position, and other important constituents. The input from these meetings is synthesized into a comprehensive assessment report which is provided to the Presidential Search Committee. The report includes the ideal candidate profile and goals for the position, among other essential details.
• Phase 2: Research and sourcing conducted by FaithSearch Partners
  Based on the approved candidate profile, prospects, referrals, and candidates are contacted. Those expressing interest are screened and evaluated against the ideal candidate profile.
• Phase 3: Candidate list evaluated, semi-finalists identified
  FaithSearch presents a recommended slate of candidates to the Presidential Search Committee. Selected candidates are interviewed by the Presidential Search Committee.
• Phase 4: Presidential Search Committee recommends final candidate(s)
  The search committee selects a finalist who will visit the campus and meet with a variety of stakeholders. The search committee will then make its final recommendation to the WWU Board of Trustees.

Nominations for presidential candidates can be sent directly to Doug Duffield, a 1994 graduate of WWU and senior vice president of FaithSearch Partners, at dduffield@faithsearchpartners.com, or Ed Fry, president of FaithSearch Partners, at edfry@faithsearchpartners.com. Nominations are encouraged by March 15, 2024.

FaithSearch Partners is an executive search firm with extensive experience working with faith-based organizations like WWU. They have supported similar search processes at Seventh-day Adventist institutions such as Union College, Kettering Health Network, Southern Adventist University. Other Christian institutions of higher education that FaithSearch Partners has supported are Biola University, Seattle Pacific University, and Point Loma Nazarene University.

WWU is an institution of higher education founded on Christian teachings and values as understood and appreciated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The university has more than 1,300 students enrolled across four campuses in the Pacific Northwest, including College Place, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Anacortes, Washington; and Billings, Montana.