By: Aisha Marilyn Abdulbary-Knotts | Staff Writer and Ellie Simmers | Editor-in-Chief
New president, Dr. Sally Coleman Selden. Photo via University of Lynchburg website
The university has selected its next president, Dr. Sally Coleman Selden, after a months-long search process marked by strong candidates, careful evaluation and a focus on institutional fit.
Chair of the Board of Trustees and leader of the presidential search committee, Julie Doyle, said the pool of finalists was highly competitive, but the committee prioritized candidates who showed a genuine interest in the university rather than those simply seeking a leadership role in higher education.
“The finalists were all very strong,” Doyle said. “We wanted people who weren’t just looking for any job in higher ed, but those interested in Lynchburg.”
The selected candidate previously served as provost at Lynchburg and most recently held a leadership role at The Citadel. Although she has not served as a university president before, Doyle said her experience and leadership record made her the right fit.
“It was the feeling of ‘she gets us,’” Doyle said. “She has proven that she can do things like increase enrollment like she has done at The Citadel. A lot of those pieces felt right.”
The committee also evaluated how closely each candidate aligned with the university’s long-term goals. Doyle said the new president’s work leading strategic planning efforts at The Citadel demonstrated her ability to achieve measurable results, including meeting enrollment targets over a six-year period.
“She absolutely sees the value of a small liberal arts school,” Doyle said. “We want to maintain the heart and soul of what Lynchburg is.”
The next president will take office at a time when the university faces several immediate challenges, including enrollment, finances and accreditation. The university is currently in its second year of warning status, making accreditation a key priority.
Doyle said the new president’s experience serving on the SACSCOC board will be beneficial because she understands the accreditation review process. She added that the university is also focused on finishing its fiscal year, which ends June 30, without a deficit.
The search committee used a structured process to evaluate candidates. Each candidate was asked the same questions, which were divided among committee members. The committee focused on how candidates addressed similar challenges at their previous institutions and how their experience would translate to Lynchburg.
“We wanted a realistic view,” Doyle said. “How is their experience going to be pertinent and valuable to our institution?”
New president Sally Selden stands at a podium during a graduate student commencement ceremony held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Charleston.Ed Wray/The Citadel/Provided
Despite differing perspectives during the process, Doyle said the committee ultimately reached a unanimous decision, which was later approved by the university’s board.
One of the most difficult aspects of serving on the committee was balancing public interest with the need for confidentiality. Doyle said there was strong interest from the campus community, but the process required discretion.
“Keeping things confidential while many wanted to know what was going on was challenging,” she said. “You get to know these candidates, and they really wanted this job. At the end of the day, you could only pick one.”
Doyle said the experience also allowed committee members to build stronger relationships with one another and reinforced a shared commitment to the university.
“All wanted what was best for the university,” she said. “We never wavered from our commitment of confidentiality, respect and goals. We wanted to come together and have a single recommendation to the board, and we achieved that.”
She also emphasized the role of students in the process, noting that student representation provided an important perspective during deliberations.
Student reactions to the selection have been mixed, but largely optimistic. Andrea Winn ’26 said she was aware of the search but not deeply involved.
“I knew the presidential selection was going on, but I wasn’t really that involved,” Winn said. “But I’ve heard good things about her, especially since Jer [Bryant] has known her personally and that she’s worked here for about 18 years, so I think she’ll probably do a better job than our current president.”
International student Génesis Reyes ’28 was encouraged by the appointment.
“I’m glad that we have another woman president,” Reyes said. “I think that’s very refreshing to know that girls are empowered, and yes, hopefully she will do great for the school itself and for international students. Don’t forget about us. Hopefully, she will bring in new ideas and a lot of cool stuff that will make the community and school better.”
Students like Jasmine Waller ‘28 and Madison Meador ‘28, are hopeful about the new president, hoping that she will be for students in and out of the classroom.
Other students, like Zion Wilson ‘28, find Selden’s presidency promising, but share that some find her leadership concerning, as her time at The Citadel could make her administration lean more conservatively.
Faculty members also expressed confidence in Selden’s leadership. Dr. Jimmy Roux, professor of communications and the arts, emphasized her familiarity with the institution.
“Sally Selden has a lot of history with Lynchburg College and University of Lynchburg,” Roux said. “She knows us, and it will not be a big learning curve for her to come back and make changes. She is super professional and she’s a leader because she has a vision that will assist us in moving forward with the mission of the university.”
Dr. David Richards, associate professor of humanities and social sciences and chair of the international relations and political science department, said he worked with Selden during her previous time at the university.
“I worked with Dr. Selden when she was provost, and I was faculty chair,” Richards said. “I found her to be a good collaborator who always put students and academic rigor first. I know she deeply cares about the university and is ready to help it continue to meet the challenges we face as an institution of higher education. The Board of Trustees made a great choice with Dr. Selden.”
Dr. Chidsey Dickson, professor of English at the university since 2003 said, “I am over the moon with the selection because Dr. Selden has all the qualities in the kind of leader we need right now.
Dickson reflected back on Selden’s time as Provost, noting that she knows how to work with the people on campus and has experience making the most of tough situations.
“Every single person I’ve talked to is pro Sally. Whatever the future holds for UL, Sally is the best person to make it happen in an ethical and optimizing way,” said Dickson.
Associate University Chaplain and Associate Professor of English & Modern Languages, Jer Bryant also worked with Selden during her time at the university.
“I had the privilege of working with her during my time as the director of Wilmer Writing Center”, he said. “She was an outstanding supervisor. Dr. Selden is a brilliant, kind, fair, and innovative leader who deeply cares about others”, he stated.
Bryant then goes on to say, “She encouraged me during my graduate studies and during the start of a new chapter in my life: chaplaincy. She encouraged me to follow my heart and never stop growing.”
Looking ahead, Doyle said she expects the new president to have an immediate impact on enrollment and retention. The president is scheduled to visit campus April 2 and 3 and will meet with various groups across the university community.
With a leader who understands the institution and its priorities, Doyle said the university is prepared to move forward while preserving what makes it distinctive.
