Thursday, November 14, 2013

Thank you!

As I debriefed with Dr. Barnes, I was so grateful for the overwhelming welcome he received. That's important because you never get a second chance to make a first impression. I know that sounds a bit trite, but it is nevertheless true.

Jim shared with me that he was very impressed with the quality of Multnomah people; faculty, staff, administrators, and students. He was very appreciative of the gracious candor and generosity of time from all who were able to meet with him. I need to offer special thanks here to Denise Stone and Meghan Haugen who shouldered the bulk of supporting Jim during his visit.

I've been fortunate to touch base with a few on campus, including Quincy Robinson, Student Body President, and he shared with me that a number of students were praying with him regularly for the search. Ho like God to encourage his people to pray for us.

Please feel free to visit the new search page here: http://www.multnomah.edu/presidential-search/

And please check back weekly on the blog as we share the news we can with you!

Cheers,

Steve Mitchell
Search Committee Chair

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Dr. Jim Barnes Completes MU Site Visit

Dear Friends of Multnomah,

The University hosted Dr. Jim Barnes during College Preview. Jim met with scores of people—donors, alum, administration, faculty, staff, students, and trustees over two days. He capped off his visit by meeting with the Presidential Search Committee for a working session.

For those of you who were unable to meet Dr. Barnes, here's a brief bio from the web site of the firm he works with, RPA:



Dr. Jim Barnes, former President and Chancellor of Indiana Wesleyan University, brings to RPA Inc. an entrepreneurial spirit and the transformational leadership skills that facilitated Indiana Wesleyan University's becoming one of the national leaders in adult education and online programs. During Jim's tenure, IWU's total enrollment grew from 1,700 to 13,000, with campus-based enrollment increasing from 1,000 to 3,330. Among Jim's achievements at IWU were the building of an entirely new $250 million campus that is debt free, conducting two successful, high-goal capital campaigns, launching new and innovative curriculum offerings, and growing the overall institutional budget from a $6 million to $130 million annually. In addition, Jim initiated IWU's seven online degree programs, enrolling over 2,300 students, launched the University's first doctoral program, and increased adult and professional studies enrollment from 750 to nearly 10,000.


Jim is available to RPA Inc. clients to assist in presidential succession planning, the identification, cultivation and placement of top administrators, and to provide his expertise in an array of institutional management issues including the development and marketing of adult programs. In both recruitment and management consulting assignments Jim offers insightful assessment, a collegial and collaborative style, and a positive and growth-oriented attitude. His dedication to quality in all aspects of higher education and his mission-driven commitment to providing only the best possible service to his clients make Jim a dynamic force for positive change. 





The search process promises to be robust through the remainder of the Fall as we build a candidate pool. Will you partner with us? First, please pray. We can't emphasize that enough. Secondly, will you share with us any nominations you might make? You can do that through our Search Committee Coordinator, Meghan Haugen, who can be reached at mu.psc.coordinator@gmail.com.

Thank you and God bless you!

Steve Mitchell
Search Committee Chair

P.S. We plan to blog weekly, so stay up to date by adding this blog to your reader!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Multnomah Presidential Search Committee Partners with Search Consultant

We're so pleased to announce that we'll be working with Dr. Jim Barnes in our presidential search. Dr. Barnes brings a wealth of experience, both as a former university president at Indiana Wesleyan and as a search consultant working with RPA Inc.

You can read the MU press release here:
http://www.multnomah.edu/news/?details=527


Multnomah University Launches Presidential Search

Please see this press release for the launch announcement of our presidential search: http://www.multnomah.edu/news/?details=522