UNIVERSITY PROFILE

P R E S I D E N T I A L S E A R C H

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GREAT COLLEGES TO WORK FOR

THE CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

TOP PUBLIC REGIONAL UNIVERSITY

R DR POR

REGIONAL CAMPUSES

1 CONSECUTIVE YEARS

AMERICA'S BEST COLLEGES

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Murray State University invites applications and nominations for the position of President. Murray State is a residential, comprehensive, teaching-focused, student-centered learning campus located in western Kentucky. In addition to the main campus in Murray, the University includes fve regional campuses and educational presences in Fort Campbell, Henderson, Hopkinsville, Paducah and Madisonville. Also located in Hopkinsville is the University’s Breathitt Veterinary Center, which serves as a diagnostic laboratory for the region.

The University is seeking an experienced higher education leader with the vision and leadership qualities to build on the institution’s reputation and take it to even higher levels of academic excellence and student success. The exceptionally qualifed and committed faculty and staf are proud of Murray State’s accomplishments, providing students with outstanding academic and life experiences.

The new President will express a passion for the mission of public education and understand the important social and economic roles it plays in the region and state. The President will articulate the institution’s values, serve as a persuasive advocate for the University at the state level and lead eforts to raise new resources from the University’s many and broadly-based constituents.

The new President will arrive at a time when the campus is poised to make the changes necessary to enhance Murray State’s mission in the face of changing higher education paradigms and competition for students and public resources.

Murray State’s next President will have the opportunity to lead a vibrant, stable university toward future successes, work directly with an outstanding senior leadership team, partner extensively in the community and beyond and reside in a beautiful region of Kentucky.

For information regarding a nomination or expression of personal interest in this position, please see the section titled, “Procedure for Candidacy,” near the end of this document.

AT A GLANCE

CLEAR THE TRACK Touchdowns at home football games are celebrated with Racer One making a lap around the track. GO RACERS!

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UNIVERSITY PROFILE

For nearly 100 years Murray State University has served students

from the region, the nation and the world. Founded in 1922, the University has grown from an enrollment of 202 students to approximately 9,500 today. Students receive personalized attention from supportive faculty and staf as the University ofers a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Murray State has ranked among the top universities in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s annual publication, America’s Best Colleges, for 28 consecutive years. The University has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Colleges for 11 consecutive years. Additionally, The Chronicle of Higher Education has named Murray State a “Great College to Work For” for seven of the past ten years.

Located in the Jackson Purchase lake area of west Kentucky, Murray State is a state-supported comprehensive University with four academic colleges - business, education and human services, humanities and fne arts and science, engineering and technology - a school of agriculture, a school of nursing and health professions and a Center for Adult and Regional Education. The University’s 236-acre main campus is in Murray, a city of over 17,000 residents. The University ofers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, professional instruction, as well as continuing education programs.

The main campus comprises more than 70 major buildings, including classroom and ofce buildings and two libraries. The Waterfeld Library houses the circulating collection, reference sources, government documents,

microforms and periodicals. The historic Pogue Library contains special collections relating to the history and culture of west Kentucky and the region. Murray State also operates the Pullen Farm, Hancock Biological Station, Breathitt Veterinary Center and The Arboretum at Murray State.

Recognition of the quality of Murray State programs is refected in accreditations. Murray State has been continuously accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) since 1928. Program accreditations have also been attained in animal health technology, art, business, counseling, dietetics, several engineering technology programs, chemistry, journalism and mass communications, music, nursing, occupational safety and health, physics and engineering physics, social work, special education, teacher education and veterinary laboratory diagnostics.

Among the 9,466 students enrolled for the 2018-19 academic year, 45 states and 43 countries are represented. Total enrollment includes 8,142 undergraduate students and 1,324 graduate students. The University is approximately 60 percent female and 40 percent male. This year’s frst-time freshman class had an ACT score of 24 and represents 70 counties in Kentucky. Fifty-three percent of these freshman ranked in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class.

As of fall 2018, Murray State’s retention rate for overall students seeking bachelor’s or associate degrees is 76.4 percent — an increase of two

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percentage points from fall 2017. The University’s fall 2018 retention rate was the highest among regional public institutions in the state of Kentucky. The University includes nearly 450 full-time, instructional faculty with 75 percent having earned the highest degree in their feld.

The University awarded $44 million in scholarships, grants and tuition waivers in 2017-18, with 95 percent of frst time, full-time freshmen receiving some form of fnancial aid and 81 percent of full-time undergraduate students receiving some form of fnancial aid. The University ofers in-state tuition rates for select counties outside of the state of Kentucky, along with regional tuition discounts for neighboring states which include Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Tennessee. A variety of academic achievement scholarships for incoming freshmen and transfer students are available.

In addition to 126 academic programs, students can get involved in more than 180 student organizations. Approximately 250 students study abroad each year in one of 42 countries, including Belize, China, Germany, England and more. A unique feature of Murray State is the residential college system. Upon enrollment at the University, students are assigned to one of eight residential colleges within the Murray community which allows them to meet fellow students and fnd additional opportunities for personal and professional growth. Upon graduation, Racers join more than 70,000 fellow alumni who are located throughout the world.

CAMPUS ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNANCE

Murray State University is one of eight public universities supported by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Council on Postsecondary Education coordinates policies aimed at improving Kentucky’s postsecondary education system. The Council is a statewide coordinating agency comprised of 15 members with 13 citizens, one faculty member and one student appointed by the Governor; the Commissioner of Education is an ex-ofcio member.

Governing authority for Murray State resides with the University’s Board of Regents, consisting of 11 members, eight of whom are appointed by the Governor of Kentucky and three of whom are elected to represent the campus constituencies of faculty, staf and students.

Responsibility for day-to-day operations is entrusted to the University President, who is the chief executive ofcer. The President’s direct reports are shown in the organizational chart below.

MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY ORGANIZATIONAL CHART 2018-2019

Interim President

Senior Executive Coordinator for the President and

Coordinator for Board Relations

Interim Director, Intercollegiate Athletics

General Counsel

Internal Auditor

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services

Vice President for University Advancement

Vice President for Student Affairs

Executive Director, Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and

Access and Title IX Coordinator

Executive Director, Development

Director, Institutional Effectiveness and

Strategic Planning

Director, Alumni Relations

Director, Governmental and

Institutional Relations

Director, Planned Giving

Director, Communication

President

Board of Regents

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THE ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT

The President of Murray State University will be an engaged, inspiring leader with a demonstrated commitment to Murray State’s heritage, mission and core values. The President will advance those values by building on the University’s traditions and strengths, actively seeking consensus among all constituencies and exercising superb management and decision-making skills. The President will communicate efectively with both internal and external constituencies, articulating clearly and passionately Murray State’s mission and strategic aspirations. This individual will work efectively with Murray State’s Board of Regents in pursuit of the strategic initiatives that will further strengthen the University and the community.

The President will embrace the faculty’s commitment to excellence in teaching, underscored by quality scholarship and research, and understand the connections between the two. The President will strengthen and foster a vibrant and diverse community of students, faculty and staf, enhancing relationships with alumni, parents, community leaders and others closely associated with the University. Finally, the President will lead by modeling character, passion, integrity and the pursuit of knowledge.

As chief executive ofcer, the President of Murray State University reports directly to the 11-member Board of Regents and is ultimately responsible to that governing board for the supervision and administration of academic, business and fscal operations, as well as all other matters pertaining to the institution. It is the duty of the President to make recommendations to the Board relating to the general policies of the institution and to the maintenance of coordination among its several functions, including fostering and promoting instruction, research and service.

Preparation of both a biennial budget request and an annual budget are responsibilities of the President, as well as the administration of an annual budget following its approval by the Board. The President serves the Board in a fduciary capacity, especially with regard to all funds available to the University, whether in the nature of operating funds, reserves or investments. The President speaks ofcially for the University, subject to the regulations of the Board of Regents, before all federal, state and local governmental ofces, boards and agencies and the representatives of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.

Other responsibilities of the President are to serve as the ofcial medium of communication between the Board of Regents and the Faculty Senate, Student Government Association, Staf Congress, administrative ofcers and individual members of the campus community and to work closely with alumni, legislators and other appropriate of-campus constituencies. In the day-to-day direction of University afairs, the President interprets existing policy and has the authority to, upon occasion,

establish new policy with respect to educational, business and fnancial matters which are not specifcally addressed in broad policy approved by the Board. The President shall also have oversight of Intercollegiate Athletics and institutional fundraising.

Deans, directors, chairs and other administrative ofcers, along with the vice presidents, are subject to the supervision and direction of the President. The President may delegate responsibilities and otherwise utilize the talents and abilities of administrators as appropriate in the administration of the University. However, the President shall have the prior consent or ratifcation of the Board of Regents in delegating major areas of authority or responsibility.

OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR LEADERSHIP

Beyond the management of a complex academic enterprise, the next President of Murray State University will be encouraged to place particular emphasis on several strategic imperatives that will continue to strengthen the University and add value to its students, faculty, staf and community.

1. Serve as Murray State’s “champion” in outreach and advocacy. The President is the “face and voice” of Murray State in representing its interests to external partners. Murray State’s success in building its reputation and resources is directly impacted by the efectiveness of the University’s external advocacy and communications — with the legislature, the Governor and state administration, the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, the private sector, donors and leaders in the surrounding communities. This will need to be even further intensifed in the future, as public resources become more scarce and the expectations of these internal and external stakeholders become sharper.

The next President will need to convey to all stakeholders a clear and enthusiastic commitment to Murray State, possess knowledge of its strengths and potential and have the ability to communicate these strengths to others. The President must be able to navigate the Kentucky political landscape (and overcome the geographic distance between the

campus and the state Capitol) and build positive working relationships with elected ofcials and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. This individual must strengthen bridges to the local Murray community by engaging actively with business and residential neighbors in discussing ever-present “town and gown” issues and by working with them to manage healthy physical and economic growth. In terms of personal engagement and visibility, the President must be attentive to the University community itself, showing a personal commitment to a holistic culture that encourages students, faculty, staf and the larger Murray State community to engage in all kinds of campus experiences, from the academic to the entertaining. A consistent demonstration of teambuilding in thoughts, words and actions is critical for internal advocacy.

2. Sharpen Murray State’s enrollment strategies. In light of intensifying competition from other universities in Kentucky and from surrounding states, the new President will be expected to ensure sustainable enrollment levels (and accompanying revenues) through

focused enrollment management strategies, with particular attention to the surrounding 18-county service region. The University’s strategic plan and eforts to enhance Murray State’s brand and identity will directly support the goal of positioning the University as a “destination” school for frst-time and transfer students. Consideration should also be given to building stronger relationships with the region’s community colleges, with the intent of yielding more transfers of higher-quality students.

3. Build and steward Murray State’s resources. In light of declining state appropriations for public higher education and the desire to keep tuition increases at a minimum necessary to sustain quality, the new President will be expected to generate new revenue streams that will be critical to maintaining the quality of Murray State’s academic and co-curricular programs, the depth of its faculty and staf expertise and the attractiveness of its facilities. The next President will support this goal by committing sufcient time and energy to fundraising and stewardship.

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4. Foster a campus of inclusion and diversity. Although Murray State has worked efectively over the past two decades to signifcantly expand the diversity of its student body (with particular successes in attracting international students), the need for continued progress remains an important goal, especially in expanding the diversity of faculty and staf. The new President must lend personal authority and passion to eforts to change this profle through targeted programs, recruiting and new resources.

5. Create a successful strategy for achieving state higher education performance targets and enhance the achievement of metrics to maximize performance-based funding. In 2016, the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and the Presidents of Kentucky’s public universities and the Community and Technical College System developed funding protocols connecting performance to given metrics. In 2017, the Kentucky Legislature passed the Postsecondary Education Performance Funding Bill (KRS 164.092) which encompasses two funding models – one for public universities and another for the community and technical colleges. The distribution of performance funding is based on Student Success (35 percent), Course Completion (35 percent), Maintenance and Operations (10 percent), Institutional Support (10 percent) and Academic Support (10 percent). The Student Success category has separate components: bachelor degrees, STEM + H (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and health) degrees, underrepresented minority degrees, low-income and student progression of 30, 60 and 90 hours. All state-appropriated funding fows through this model. Beginning in fscal year 2020-21 and every three fscal years thereafter, the postsecondary education working group will convene to determine if the model is functioning as expected, identify any unintended consequences of the model and recommend necessary adjustments to the model.

QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES

The President of Murray State University will frst and foremost demonstrate a living, active commitment to the University’s mission and the individuals it serves.

The successful candidate will possess academic credentials sufcient to engender respect from the academy and the community at large. An earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree is preferred. The individual must understand the central role of faculty, staf and students within the University and embrace a shared governance environment. Ideally, the President will demonstrate a successful record in senior-level leadership experience in higher education.

The President will be a visionary leader and will also have outstanding administrative skills, the ability to build relationships essential for fundraising and institutional advocacy and an unrelenting enthusiasm and skill for telling Murray State’s story.

In addition, the President should demonstrate:

a strong intellect and appreciation exceptional communication skills and for academic excellence, including the ability to articulate a compelling a track record of supporting both vision and goals teaching and scholarship

strong interpersonal skills and the highest possible level of personal the ability to relate warmly and integrity respectfully to individuals at all levels

the ability to listen, think strategically previous experience working and make transparent data-driven closely and collaboratively with a decisions governing board and establishing a

partnership of mutual trust and open the ability to make decisions communications appropriately within an academic system exceptional people skills that

enable the President to successfully the personal courage and conviction bring about compromise between to lead a campus through thoughtful opposing forces changes designed to ensure its relevance and sustained success in a student-centered approach to the decades ahead education and administration

a track record of encouraging, an understanding of national trends facilitating and rewarding innovation and issues in higher education, and entrepreneurial thinking at all particularly higher education levels fnancing

an understanding of, and appreciation for, the appropriate role of technology in higher education

a strong commitment to, and track record of, inclusion and diversity in the student body, faculty and the administrative staf

an eagerness to be an active and visible member of the Murray State community on campus and a strong advocate and emissary for Murray State of campus

the “street smarts” necessary to appreciate the political and external infuences on a public university campus and the ability to efectively manage such forces

clarity of thought, self-awareness

a sense of humor — taking the position of President seriously, but not taking one’s self too seriously

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Opportunity Summary

The President of Murray State University will be presented with the opportunity to achieve the following professional and personal accomplishments:

Lead one of the most respected public universities in Kentucky toward higher levels of success and distinction

Partner with a dedicated, energetic and collaborative Board of Regents, executive team, faculty and staf

Be an active and infuential leader of the Murray State community and meaningfully impact the quality of life and the continued success of the greater Murray State and western Kentucky region

Strategic Directions Statement

We envision Murray State to be the university of choice for high school seniors, community college transfer students and nontraditional students in West Kentucky and the surrounding region. The basis for being the university of choice is a recognition that Murray State ofers distinctive academic programming and superior educational and co-curricular experiences. We envision Murray State being recognized for the application of its collective expertise in support of community and regional economic development, pre-K-12 educational improvement, and continuing education for the region’s workforce.

We envision Murray State being recognized as the outstanding university in the Commonwealth in fulflling the public trust for operational efciency and efectiveness, and for transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

Adopted by the Murray State University Board of Regents, May 20, 2011.

Presidential Selection Process

The Murray State Presidential Search Committee will oversee the process of recruiting and screening candidates. The Search Committee consists of nine members representing the faculty, staf, students and alumni of the University, with fve members of the Search Committee drawn from the membership of the Board of Regents.

It is expected that the newly-appointed President will be chosen no later than May 2019 and assume the presidency no later than the summer of 2019.

University Mission Statement

Murray State University places our highest priority on student learning and excellent teaching, blending the range of educational opportunities often experienced at research institutions with the nurturing student-teacher interactions usually found at smaller universities. We ofer relevant undergraduate and graduate degree programs with core studies in the liberal arts and sciences, leading to degrees from certifcates to advanced practice doctorates that prepare students for success. Through efective and creative teaching, the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills to real-world situations, and academic and student support services, our quality faculty and staf foster student growth in knowledge, critical inquiry and innovative thinking.

Procedure for Candidacy

Applications will be accepted online at murraystatejobs.com/postings/8420. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application and materials by March 4, 2019. Nominations or confdential inquiries concerning the search may be sent to the Search Committee Chair by email: PresidentialSearchCommittee@ murraystate.edu. The Search Committee will begin review of candidates in early March and proceed until an appointment is made. Applications will be accepted throughout the process but for fullest consideration candidates are encouraged to provide their materials by March 4.

As a public comprehensive university dedicated to diversity, global awareness and intellectual curiosity, we actively engage students, faculty, staf and the community in collaborative scholarship, creative activity and research. We invest in our communities through thoughtful public service in our 18-county service region and beyond. Our uniqueness arises from our combination of academic excellence, welcoming atmosphere and dedication to student success through mentored, real-world learning opportunities in an open-minded and supportive learning environment.

Presidential Search Committee

Dr. Don Tharpe Member – Board of Regents Nicholasville, Kentucky

Dr. Randal Wilson Assistant Professor of Educational Studies, Leadership and Counseling and Ed.D. Director Murray State University

Lisa Rudolph (Chair) Vice Chair – Board of Regents Kirksey, Kentucky

Katherine Farmer Faculty Representative Board of Regents Murray State University

Marion Hale President – Staf Congress Murray State University

Dan Kemp Member – Board of Regents Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Dr. Tim Miller President Emeritus Murray State University

J. T. Payne Student Representative Board of Regents President of the Student Government Association Reed, Kentucky

Heather Roy Director of the Madisonville and Henderson Campuses Murray State University

Murray State University Board of Regents

Mrs. Susan S. Guess, Chair Senior Vice President/ Marketing Director – Paducah Bank Paducah, Kentucky

Mrs. Lisa Rudolph, Vice Chair Co-Owner, Rudolph’s, Inc. Co-Owner, Rudolph Freight, Inc. Kirksey, Kentucky

Mr. Eric Crigler CFA and Financial Services Industry Veteran Germantown, Tennessee

Ms. Katherine Farmer, Faculty Regent Associate Professor/Research Instruction Librarian/Coord., Research and User Experience Murray State University

Mr. Jerry P. Rhoads Attorney – Rhoads & Rhoads, P.S.C. Madisonville, Kentucky

Mr. Phil Schooley, Staf Regent Telecommunications System Management Online/Transfer Advisor Murray State University

Dr. Don I. Tharpe Non-proft and association management executive Nicholasville, Kentucky

Mrs. Virginia Bishop Gray Program Manager Government Relations Tennessee Valley Authority Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Ms. Sharon L. Green Retired Crime Victims’ Advocate Mayfeld, Kentucky

Mr. J. Daniel Kemp Attorney – Ison & Cavanah, LLP Hopkinsville, Kentucky

James T. Payne, Student Regent Student Government Association President Murray State University Reed, Kentucky

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murraystate.edu

In the heart of Jackson’s Purchase

’Neath the sun’s warm glow

Is the home of Murray State

Finest place we know. (Alma Mater)

Murray State University endorses the intent of all federal and state laws created to prohibit discrimination. Murray State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability in employment or application for employment, admissions or the provision of services and provides, upon request, reasonable accommodation including auxiliary aids and services necessary to aford individuals with disabilities equal access to participate in all programs and activities. Murray State University supports a clean and healthy campus. Please refrain from personal tobacco use.

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