May 18, 2020
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The Salem Presidential Search Committee has been working diligently since its initial meeting on March 31, 2020 to solicit feedback and suggestions from various stakeholders regarding the top priorities and values for Salem, the most pressing challenges it is facing, and the direction for the institution to take in order to pivot successfully toward the future. A survey was sent to the current faculty and staff of the institution as well as to the Board of Trustees and the Board of Visitors. Additionally, several focus groups were assembled and meetings were facilitated to discuss the vision for Salem’s future and its next leader. A synopsis is below: 

Survey

4/11/20 - The Presidential Search Committee sent a survey to a broad range of stakeholders to solicit feedback and opinions regarding the key priorities and challenges of the institution and the most desired qualities for the next President of Salem Academy and College to possess. Of those surveyed, 101 people responded; the results yielded the following:

The Top Values of the Institution’s Stakeholders: 

  • Academic excellence
  • Commitment to education for girls and women
  • Diversity of the student body
  • Low student-faculty ratio and individual attention

The Top Priorities for the Institution:

  • Financial management / stewardship of resources
  • Achieving desired enrollment and retention goals
  • Fundraising to support a thriving institution
  • Ability to secure thriving local, regional, and national partnerships (for internships, careers, and fundraising)
  • Marketing the institution locally and nationally

The Top Challenges for the Next President to Tackle:

  • Financial stability
  • Enrollment

The Most Desired Qualities for the Next President to Possess:

  • Collaborative
  • Business-minded
  • Excellent communicator
  • A personal connection to Salem; perhaps an alumna.

Focus Groups

4/13/20 - Meeting with current Salem Academy students
4/14/20 - Meeting with parents of current Salem Academy students
4/15/20 - Meeting with traditional aged students of Salem College
4/15/20 - Meeting with Salem College Fleer and Graduate students 

Some of the most prevalent themes from the conversations with the focus groups above included: the importance of community, traditions, academic rigor and experiential learning, and the desire to reinvent Salem so that the institution can thrive in the future while maintaining its roots, identity, and mission. Suggestions from the groups also included improving upon marketing, enrollment, and retention strategies.

The Salem Presidential Search Committee will meet again the week of May 4, 2020 to discuss and review a draft candidate package and to explore and discuss the first round of potential candidates from a pool of names provided to the Search Committee. As previously reported, the Salem Presidential Search Committee remains committed to its mission to recruit the best person to lead Salem at this important time in the institution’s history.

March 31, 2020
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Dear Salem Academy and College Faculty and Staff,

I am pleased to let you know that the search for Salem’s new president is underway. As chair of the Board of Trustees and the Presidential Search Committee, I am honored to serve with a group of extremely talented individuals who bring a deep understanding of the institution along with diverse experience to this process. Our first (virtual) meeting will be today, March 31.

Joining me as members of the Committee are:

Trustees

Ms. Mimi Aledo-Sandoval C’01, Policy Director, Alliance for Early Success, Washington, DC
Dr. Sarah Berga, Incoming Chair and Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Buffalo,  Buffalo, NY
Dr. Patrice Davis C’89, Vice President for Student Services, Trident Technical College, Charleston, SC
Ms. Terrie Davis A’63, C’67, Attorney (retired) and community volunteer, Winston-Salem, NC
Ms. Lossie Freeman C’97, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Zip Code Wilmington, Wilmington, DE
Rev. David Guthrie, President, Moravian Provincial Elders Conference (Southern), Winston-Salem, NC
Ms. Katherine Holland-Ortiz C’00, Executive Director, Perkins International, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, MA
Ms. Robin Howell A’79, Paralegal, Wells Fargo, Charlotte, NC

Faculty

Ms. Michelle Hopkins Lawrence, Faculty Member, Department of History, Salem Academy
Dr. Tina Flowers, Chair and Assistant Professor, Department of Business and Economics, Salem College
Dr. Sheryl Long, Director and Associate Professor, Teacher Education and Graduate Studies in Education, Salem College
Dr. Traci Porter, Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Salem College

Administrators

Ms. Kathy M. Barnes C’81, Vice President of Institutional Advancement
Mr. Kenneth Buchanan, Vice President for Finance and Administration, CFO
Dr. Shawn Ricks, Assistant Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Ms. Emily Young, Salem’s Director of Human Resources and Benefits, is the staff member who will support our Committee.

Students

Amira Rady (A’20) from Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Sisters Scholar, Honor Cabinet President
Alexus Effler (C’20) from Marion, North Carolina, Studying Communications and Sociology, SGA President

At our first meeting, we will discuss the timeline and structure of our search process, including how we will seek input from the Salem community, as well as our initial thoughts on the qualifications of the leader we will seek.

I will report to the community periodically on the search process. Be assured that our Committee will be diligent in our efforts to recruit the best person—energetic, appreciative of our heritage, and enthusiastic about our future—to lead Salem at this important time in the institution’s history.

Sincerely,

McDara P. Folan signature 

McDara P. Folan, III
Chair, Board of Trustees