After serving 40 years in higher education and 8 years at Westminster University, President Bethami Dobkin has announced that she will retire at the end of the 2025–2026 academic year. The Board of Trustees has partnered with Isaacson, Miller to conduct a national search for Westminster’s 20th president, whom they expect to be named in Spring 2026. President Dobkin will continue to serve in her role through the end of the current academic year.

Westminster campus community members are encouraged to submit feedback and potential nominations to Isaacson, Miller.

SUBMIT FEEDBACK  SUBMIT A PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION

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Who We're Looking For

The next president will join Westminster University at a pivotal moment, with the university well-positioned for success. This is a remarkable opportunity for an experienced and accomplished leader to build on strong values and coalesce the community around an ambitious, yet realistic, shared vision for the future. Westminster’s next president must be an effective leader and manager and address the following key opportunities and challenges:

  • Engage, inspire, and unite a highly passionate campus community around common goals to fulfill Westminster’s mission, values, and ambitions
  • Expand fundraising and partnership efforts to foster new collaborations and revenue
  • Create and execute a sustainable business model
  • Grow enrollment to support Westminster’s vibrant future
  • Articulate and amplify Westminster’s story

READ THE FULL POSITION PROFILE

Timeline

  • September 2025
    • First search committee and firm meeting
    • Campus listening sessions
  • October 2025
    • Draft presidential position description
    • Publish presidential position
  • December 2025
    • Review first round of applicants
    • First round of interviews with search firm
  • January 2026
    • Review second round of applicants
    • Review final applicant pool
  • February 2026
    • Video interviews with final 3-4 candidates
    • Reference and background checks
    • Second and final interviews with candidates
    • Final recommendations to Board of Trustees
  • March 2026
    • Vote by Board of Trustees
    • Announcement to campus community

Search Committee

The search committee is co-chaired by trustees Amy Wadsworth and Danny Giovale ’94. It includes 8 members of the Board of Trustees and 7 members of the campus community:

  • Amy Wadsworth, Co-Chair, Trustee
  • Danny Giovale, Co-Chair, Trustee
  • Kim T. Adamson, Trustee
  • Catherine Foster, Trustee
  • L. Jackson Newell, Trustee
  • Catherine Putnam-Netto, Trustee
  • Sidni Shorter, Trustee
  • Engels Tejeda, Trustee
  • Jeanne Ambruster, Trustee Emeritus
  • Daniel Lewis, Administration, VP Institutional Advancement
  • Kelly Asao, Faculty, Associate Professor Psychology
  • Lance Newman, Faculty, Professor English
  • Christie Fox, Staff, Assistant Provost Student Success
  • Max Gutierrez, Student, ASW President
  • Stephanie Tobey, Alumni Board Chair

  • Upcoming Events

    There are no upcoming events at this time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Search committee co-chairs Amy Wadsworth and Danny Giovale will provide updates to the community during the process. All information will be posted to this Presidential Search webpage.

The search committee’s goal is to attract and recruit the most qualified individual possible to be Westminster's next president. Most qualified candidates will only participate in a search that keeps their identities strictly confidential, given the sensitivities at their current institutions. As a result, and consistent with the best practices followed by private colleges and universities, Westminster has decided to conduct a confidential search.

The search committee plans to work through the 2025–26 academic year. The Board’s charge to the committee is to have a new president in place by July 1, 2026.

VIEW THE TIMELINE

The search committee has several opportunities for members of the Westminster community to provide their input. Individuals are strongly encouraged to send written feedback and potential nominations.

SUBMIT FEEDBACK SUBMIT A PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION

During September 2025, there will be open forums on campus for the students, faculty, and staff to meet with the search committee and provide input. If you have any other questions, email presidentsearch@westminsteru.edu.

VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS

The Board of Trustees will make the final decision to appoint the next president.

The Board of Trustees has partnered with Isaacson, Miller to conduct a national search for Westminster’s 20th president.

Lindsay Gold and Courtney Wilk-Mandel are leading this presidential search with Jaime Morgen.

Beth Dobkin with a student at graduation

It has been an immense privilege to serve as Westminster University’s 19th president. Working together with faculty, students, staff, alumni, and our generous community to transform Westminster has been the honor of a lifetime.”

President Bethami Dobkin

President Dobkin's Legacy of Progress

 

beth dobkin with 2 people at the LS Skaggs opening

Beth Dobkin speaking at 2025 convocation

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Contact

If you have questions about the presidential transition, please email the search committee at presidentsearch@westminsteru.edu.