Belmont Abbey College is actively conducting a presidential search from a position of strength and optimism. The Presidential Search Committee, comprised of varying members of the Abbey community, seek a new administration to enter another 150 years of Abbey history with hopeful trust in Divine Providence. Interested parties may email belmontabbey@russellreynolds.com.
Belmont Abbey College is actively conducting a presidential search from a position of strength and optimism. The Presidential Search Committee, which comprises members of the Abbey community, seeks the next President to enter another 150 years of Abbey history with hopeful trust in Divine Providence. Interested parties may email belmontabbey@russellreynolds.com.
Foundational Principles
The College
Founded in 1876 by Benedictine monks, Belmont Abbey College finds its center in Jesus Christ. By His light, we grasp the true image and likeness of God which every human person is called to live out. We aim to renew that likeness in all dimensions of life for our students and community members through curricular and co-curricular programs of excellence and virtue based in the liberal arts as practiced in the Benedictine and Catholic intellectual traditions.
By excellence and virtue, we mean the skills, attitudes, and stable dispositions of character that make possible the consistent practice of the good throughout the full range of human pursuits (scholarly, professional, community, personal). Recognizing that each field has its own standards of excellence, we strive to achieve them, led by St. Benedict’s desire “that in all things God may be glorified.”
At Belmont Abbey College, we:
- Embrace and instill the habit of excellence and virtue in all that we do.
- Foster the development of each member of the Belmont Abbey College community as a total person in keeping with the Rule of
St. Benedict. - Provide our students with a liberal arts education that prepares them–mind, body and spirit–to pursue the good for themselves and
their communities. - Share the richness of our Catholic and Benedictine identity through college activities and communications so that we may inspire others
to become part of the worldwide Belmont Abbey College community.
The Search
We have established a Presidential Search Committee (“PSC”) of 12 community members ensuring representation across Abbey stakeholders. We have also retained Russell Reynolds Associates to support the important work of the PSC.
The Presidential Search Committee:
- Chuck Cornelio (Co-Chair)
- Abbot Placid Solari, O.S.B. (Co-Chair)
- Molly Beckert (Board Member)
- Fr Elias Correa-Torres (Monastery)
- May Ellen Gustainis (Board Member)
- John Hetzel (Student)
- Chris Parker (Board Member)
- Alessandro Rovati (Faculty)
- Mary Catherine Surface (Board Member)
- Frank Trotta (Board Member)
- David Wofford (Trustee/Alum)
- Joseph Wysocki (Administration/Staff)
Updates
The Role
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the President leads all aspects of the College, including strategic planning, administration, academics, fundraising, and financial sustainability.
The President of Belmont Abbey College has the principal responsibility of guiding the College’s strategic direction and fostering its overall success. The President serves as a visionary leader, playing a crucial role in shaping and aligning transformative goals that foster spiritual formation, promote academic excellence, and prepare graduates to embrace their responsibilities as engaged citizens and respond to the vocations to which God has called them. Drawing from the Benedictine monastic tradition, the President is dedicated to fostering virtue, forming character, and nurturing students’ capacity to reason and think critically. Collaboration with the monastic community of Belmont Abbey is integral to this role.
The President’s focus is to oversee the formulation of a new strategic plan ensuring the College’s longevity, academic success, and financial solvency. The Board of Trustees, in alignment with the monastic community, recommends a renewed focus and development of its core values of academic excellence, character development, and career readiness. While affirming this focus, this visionary and transformative leader will initiate mission-centered academic programs to reduce the demand on athletics for the recruitment of students.
The Application
We welcome all prospective applicants to explore this information as you discern a place in Abbey leadership. If you would like to submit yourself for consideration, please contact belmontabbey@russellreynolds.com.
