A mission-focused leader, student-centered educator and effective strategic thinker are listed among the many desired attributes of Linfield’s next president. After listening sessions with many in the university community, the Linfield University Board of Trustees created a list of 14 qualifying experiences, skills and personal traits required of the institution’s next leader. This list – as well as a position summary, priorities and institutional profile – were published on June 3 as part of the recruitment process. Applications are now being accepted, with a first consideration date of Oct. 3.
The 16-member search committee is co-chaired by trustees Kirby Dyess and Marv Henberg. The committee is comprised of seven trustees, three faculty members, three staff members, two students and an athletics representative. Employees involved represent both Linfield campuses and each college or school. In April, the board hired the national firm AGB Search as senior search consultants to assist with the process.
In the meantime, Interim President Rebecca “Becky” Johnson continues at the helm. Johnson, who began her term in January, previously served as the interim president at Oregon State University during the 2021-22 academic year. Before that, she spent 12 years at OSU as a vice president and the top administrator at the university’s Cascades Campus in Bend.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Wisconsin, and both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Michigan State.
“My experiences leading a large public university as interim president, and a small branch campus in Bend, give me a lot of experience to draw upon at Linfield,” Johnson said. “I really look forward to working with the talented faculty and staff, and getting to know the campuses and communities.”
Since her arrival, Johnson has quickly become an active member of the Linfield community. She hired a new athletic director, encouraged giving on One Wild Day with multiple participation challenges, has attended college and community events, and presided over Spring Commencement.
The search committee plans to conduct closed first-round interviews late in the fall semester, with finalists coming to campus in mid-February, once students and faculty return for the spring semester.
The Linfield community can follow the presidential search process via linfield.edu/presidentialsearch.
