On Sept. 10, Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar, president of the University of Lynchburg, announced that she would retire next summer.
“It is with a heart full of gratitude that I announce my retirement as president of the University of Lynchburg, effective June 30, 2026,” Morrison-Shetlar wrote in an email to alumni and the campus community.
“After more than four decades in research, teaching, and administration in higher education — including five personally and professionally fulfilling years at the University of Lynchburg — I have decided it is the right time to pass the torch to a new leader who will guide this exceptional institution into its next chapter.”
A Presidential Search Committee has been formed and a national search launched to find Morrison-Shetlar’s successor. The search committee will work closely with executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to find the new president.
“The search committee, working closely with our experienced partners at Isaacson, Miller, will guide the comprehensive process of identifying, vetting, and recommending candidates to the University’s board of trustees,” wrote Julie Doyle and Dr. Kelli Rainey ’99, search committee chair and vice chair, respectively.
“We have intentionally assembled a diverse group that includes faculty, staff, students, administrators, alumni, and trustees to ensure that a broad and inclusive range of perspectives from across our vibrant community informs the search process.”
The search committee will meet regularly throughout the fall and winter and work with Isaacson, Miller to vet and interview candidates. Progress updates will be provided along the way.
“While much of the search committee’s work will be necessarily confidential to protect the integrity of the process and privacy of candidates, we are committed to keeping you informed,” Doyle and Rainey wrote to members of the campus community.
“You can expect regular updates from us throughout the search process.”
The following individuals are members of the Presidential Search Committee:
- Julie Doyle, search committee chair and chair of the University’s board of trustees
- Dr. Kelli Rainey ’99, search committee vice chair and board of trustees secretary
- Soliyana Atnafu ’26, undergraduate student and Student Government Association president
- Eric Bell ’89, board of trustees member
- Charles “Chip” Berry ’78, board of trustees member
- Dr. Robert Canida, Chief Inclusive Excellence Officer
- Dr. Mike Coco, associate dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Kristen Cooper, vice president of the Office of University Experience and Student Success
- Dr. Mac Duis, graduate studies committee chair, director of the Doctor of Education in Leadership studies, and assistant professor of education
- Kathryn Whitestone Goodman ’13, alumni association president
- Jamar Hawkins ’04, board of trustees member
- Price Jett, vice president of finance and operations
- Nat Marshall ’83, board of trustees member
- Patrick Pickard ’27 EDd, graduate student
- Dr. Eric Schmidt, faculty chair and associate professor of PA Medicine
- Colby Takacs, educational policy committee chair and assistant professor of public health
- Ali Tuck ’09, ’11 MA, director of student integration and leadership and staff advisory chair
- Jennifer Wills, director of global education
- Dr. Robert Wilson-Black, board of trustees member
Over the next few days, listening sessions will be held for faculty, staff, and students to share their thoughts and suggestions with the search committee and representatives from Isaacson, Miller.
“These discussions will help our search consultants learn about the role and gain an understanding of the institution’s culture, current environment, and the organizational context in which this president will operate,” Doyle and Rainey wrote.
“The search team will also ask for your suggestions of people to contact in their outreach to build a pool of candidates for this position.
“[Isaacson, Miller] will draw upon their own networks but want to make sure they tap into ours as well. They will welcome suggestions of possible candidates, but suggestions of thoughtful sources who might lead them to strong candidates are just as important.”
Alumni also may share their thoughts via an online survey.
“We have established an ambitious yet realistic timeline to identify our next president this spring, with a start date planned for next summer, following President Alison’s retirement,” Doyle and Rainey wrote.
“Our commitment is to conduct a thorough and expeditious process, with the ultimate goal of finding the absolute best person to lead our University forward.”
For more information, visit the Presidential Search website.
