By Aisha Marilyn Abdulbary-Knotts | Staff Writer
The Dell at University of Lynchburg | Photo: University of Lynchburg
With President Alison Morrison-Shetlar preparing to retire at the end of the fiscal year, the university has begun the search for its next president. Board of Trustees Chair Julie Doyle, who is leading the presidential search committee, says the process is still in its early stages but already showing promise.
Julie Doyle Board of Trustees Chair and presidential search committee chair. Photo via: University of Lynchburg website
“We feel very good about the process so far and look forward to sharing more as we can,” Doyle noted.
After hiring Isaacson, Miller, a national search firm known for its work in higher education, the committee is reviewing a strong initial pool of applicants. Over the next several months, the 20-member team of trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and students will narrow the field to a smaller group of finalists. The search committee aims to send a recommendation to the Board of Trustees for approval sometime in Spring 2026. If the timeline holds, the new president will begin on July 1, the day after President Morrison-Shetlar’s retirement becomes effective.
Doyle says the committee is focused on conducting a thoughtful, community-centered search.
“We are seeking a president who not only understands our mission but embodies the values that have defined Lynchburg for generations,” Doyle said. “This is a community built on academic rigor, service, and inclusion, and our next leader must champion all three.”
Serving alongside her is Jamar M. Hawkins, a member of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Academic Excellence and Student Success Committee, who echoed that commitment. He noted that while the committee is open to candidates from a range of professional backgrounds, members share a unified vision for the traits the next president must bring.
Jamar M. Hawkins, Board of Trustees member and Chair of the Academic Excellence and Student Success Committee
“We are looking for a diverse group of applicants who will positively lead the future of the university,” Hawkins said. “Personally, I’m looking for a servant leader who leads with compassion and humility. It’s important that applicants have experience guiding people through challenging times and can foster a culture of innovation.”
While the committee continues its work, some students have shared that they want the next president to prioritize some of the broader challenges facing the university, including retention issues, program cuts, and faculty shortages.
For first-year student Kai Long ’28, the most urgent issue is academic stability. She says faculty shortages and program cuts have already affected her college experience, and she hopes the next president will confront these issues directly.
“They should focus on hiring professors or bringing back professors, being more open about the plans they have for the school, and focus on making the school structured,” Long said.
Génesis Reyes ’28, an international student and international relations major, says that she has also been affected by the school’s limited course offerings. Reyes has been unable to take the required language courses because too few are offered. She says the shortage has stalled her academic progress.
“I think the new president should implement more language courses,” Reyes said. “For my major it’s mandatory to take language courses and I haven’t been able to take any. Implementing different languages such as French, Chinese, German, and Portuguese would give students plenty of different options to learn.”
Reyes’ situation reflects a broader problem for students whose majors require specialized classes that the university no longer consistently offers.
Program changes, faculty reductions, and inconsistent communication have contributed to a sense of instability among Lynchburg’s student body. While many students understand that higher education institutions nationwide are facing financial strain, they are concerned about the lack of transparency coming from the school’s leadership.
Myah Forest ’27 believes the next president must focus on repairing the relationship between students and administration. She wants to see stronger communication and greater consistency in academic planning, noting that stabilizing academic programs will also benefit the school.
“I think they should focus on rebuilding trust between the students and school as well as finally solidifying the programs and majors offered,” Forest said.
Za’lexia Bogan ’26 echoed the need for stronger communication from university leadership. She believes students are looking for a leader who is visible, accountable, and engaged with all corners of campus.
“I think effective communication is what I and I’m sure everyone else needs,” Bogan said. “A president who stands on their word and makes the effort to support all departments, not just one.”
Concerns extend beyond academics. Student-athletes say they hope the next president will address long-standing disparities in funding and facilities.
Carmen Nicolas ’26, a player for the women’s lacrosse team, highlighted shortages in women’s athletic resources, pointing to issues that have persisted across several teams.
“I think there should definitely be a bigger investment in female sports,” Nicolas said. “Our locker rooms are a joke. It is understandable that we might not bring as much money into the school as other men’s teams do, but, for example, the field hockey team—which is one of the best teams at Lynchburg—their locker room is not much better than ours.”
Some students pointed to the arts as another area needing renewed attention. Willow Martin ’26 said she hopes the next president will prioritize rebuilding programs that have suffered from faculty departures and budget constraints.
“I want them to focus on restructuring the arts,” Martin said. She expressed frustration at the loss of faculty and lack of visibility for arts programs in recent years. “They could advertise the arts department programs better… I want this new president to actually listen to students and parents instead of passing them off to their secretaries and advisors. Our emails and meetings should not be second-rate.”
Doyle said the search committee is listening closely to the concerns expressed across campus. Although only two students serve on the search committee, every member representing faculty, staff, alumni, or students has been encouraged to collect feedback from their communities.
“I really encouraged her to use this time to talk to as many students as possible,” Doyle said of student representative and Student Government Association President Soliyana Atnafu. Alumni board members have also participated in listening sessions with the search firm. According to Doyle, these conversations have helped clarify what the community wants in its next leader.
“There is a real desire to make sure that the integrity of what Lynchburg has always been remains and can be strengthened,” she said. “We do not want to become something different. We want to become a better, stronger version of ourselves.”
Hawkins emphasized that the search process was designed with this kind of input in mind. Isaacson, Miller has facilitated multiple listening sessions and surveys, and the firm continues to receive recommendations and feedback from students, faculty, staff, alumni, retirees and the broader Lynchburg community.
“Every perspective contributes to a clearer understanding of what our next president must bring to the table,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins added that the committee is strongly united in its purpose despite the scope of challenges facing higher education today.
“All of these priorities are being considered,” he said. “We’re committed to finding someone who is energized by the opportunity to address them head-on.”
Both Hawkins and Doyle praised the diversity and strength of the search committee itself, noting that its members vary widely in age, race, ethnicity, professional background and connection to the university.
“We are fortunate to have a team that reflects the University’s values,” Doyle said. “Everyone at the table is committed to selecting a president who will honor our past while leading us confidently into the future.”
As the search continues into the finalist stage, community feedback will remain a factor. Input can be submitted at presidentialsearch@lynchburg.edu, and updates are available on the university’s search webpage.
