Presidential Search

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Search Progress

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Nomination Form

Presidential Search Profile to be posted soon.

Message from Bill Miller, Chair of the Board of Trustees

Message from Bill Miller, Chair of the Board of Trustees

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Contact Us

Jennifer Kooken
Academic Search
Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff
jennifer.kooken@academicsearch.org email link

Search Timeline 2026

  1. Early February

    The search goes “live” by posting on the Academic Search website and in approved online advertising venues

  2. February - April

    Search consultants build a candidate pool. The search committee meets to prepare for candidate evaluation.

  3. Late April - May

    The search committee conducts confidential interviews with semi-finalist candidates. The search committee recommends finalist candidates.

  1. Late May

    The search committee conducts confidential interviews with finalist candidates.

  2. June

    The Board of Trustees selects a candidate of choice. Appointment of president announced.

  3. Summer

    The new president takes office.

Discover Wilkes University

Located on a compact 35-acre campus, Wilkes University offers a unique architectural and academic environment where historic mansions stand alongside modern facilities. The campus is situated in the heart of a vibrant downtown district and is conveniently located within two hours of Philadelphia and New York City.

The lively community surrounding campus further enhances the University’s appeal. A dynamic and diverse local dining scene, walkable cultural amenities and access to River Common Park along the Susquehanna River provide opportunities for recreation, engagement and beautiful scenery. The Pocono Mountains are a short drive away and offer a wide range of year-round outdoor activities, supporting an outstanding quality of life for University leadership and their families.

Wilkes offers a mix of in-demand undergraduate, master’s and terminal degree programs delivered through three colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Engineering, and the College of Health and Education. We encourage students to explore opportunities in our robust academic programs, clubs and organizations to enhance their educational experiences and learn more about who they are. Students can gain real-world experience in their field beginning with their first year on campus, and faculty work alongside students to conduct innovative research. We offer the tools, support and resources to empower our students in pursuing their passions and interests.

Our 13:1 student-faculty ratio provides students with personalized hands-on guidance to help them define success on their own terms. Our faculty, 94% of whom hold the highest degree in their fields, and engaged staff foster a safe and inclusive community of belonging to ensure our students have every chance to flourish, discover facets of themselves and create the lives they want.

EXPLORE OUR STORIES external website
Student Success
Student researching with faculty

About the Search

Presidential Search Committee

Presidential Search Committee

  • Bill Miller - Chairman, Board of Trustees
  • Joe Housenick - Associate Vice President, Human Resources
  • Kerianne Geist - Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communications
  • Kelli McCullough - Executive Assistant to the President & Board of Trustees
  • Bill Hanbury - Board of Trustee Member, Chair of Advancement Committee
  • Susan Davis - Board of Trustee Member, Chair of Marketing & Communications Committee
  • Willie Eggleston - Board of Trustee Member, Chair of Academic Excellence & Student Success Committee
  • Dan Cardell - Board of Trustee Member, Chair of Investment Advisory Subcommittee
  • Robert Eskra - University Staff Advisory Council Chair, Esports Manager
  • Jon Kuiken - Associate Professor of History and Director of Honors Program
  • Ken Wang - Associate Professor of Finance
  • John Buonanno - P2 Pharmacy Student
  • Emma Miller - First-Year Mechanical Engineering Student
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

 
About Academic Search and Search Consultant

About Academic Search and Search Consultant

Wilkes University has selected Academic Search as consultants to conduct the presidential search. For nearly five decades, Academic Search has offered executive search services to hiring education institutions, associations, and related organizations. Academic Search was founded by higher education leaders on the principle that we provide the most value to partner institutions by combining best practices with our deep knowledge and experience. Our mission today is to enhance institutional capacity by providing outstanding executive recruitment services, executive coaching, and transition support, in partnership with our parent organization, the American Academic Leadership Institute.

Jennifer Kooken

Academic Search
Assistant Vice President and Chair of Staff