Ringling College opens the search for its next President
Ringling College’s Dr. Larry R. Thompson announced his retirement at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year, culminating in a 27-year tenure. Read the full announcement
At Ringling College, our vision is to be the preeminent college of art and design in the world.
Our mission is to provide excellence in education; promote innovation in art and design; and foster the creative, intellectual, professional, and personal development of its students and the greater community at large. The College recognizes that scholars, artists, designers, and creative professionals play a significant role in society. Through its policies and practices, the College provides educational programs that help students, the community, and the world understand art and creativity as essential dimensions of life.
Ringling College’s next president will lead the institution into the future, while upholding our vision and mission, and living our core values of collaboration, community, creativity, diversity, innovation, integrity, and professionalism.
The Presidential Search Committee is chaired by Ringling College of Art and Design Board of Trustees Vice Chair Ali Bahaj.
Additional members of the search committee include:
- Patrick Alexander
Film Program Department Head and Faculty Representative - Teri A Hansen
Treasurer, Ringling College of Art and Design Board of Trustees
President and CEO, Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation - Dr. Tiffany G. Holmes
Vice President for Academic Affairs - Dr. Joel Morganroth (ex officio)
Chair, Ringling College of Art and Design Board of Trustees - Sara Curtis Robinson
Vice President for Advancement - Willie Stanfield
Secretary, Ringling College of Art and Design Board of Trustees
Executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) will support the work of the Presidential Search Committee to identify the College’s next president. The RRA team will be co-led by Olivia Stam, who specializes in arts and culture searches and is based in the Washington, D.C. office, and Anne Coyle, who specializes in higher education searches and is based in the Boston office.
Nominations, inquiries, and expressions of interest should be directed to: Ringling@russellreynolds.com
Communications to the search committee should be directed to the chair, Ali Bahaj at: PresidentialSearch@ringling.edu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPOM56keGY4
Listening Sessions for the Campus Community
With the support of the executive search firm and the search committee, Ringling College will host a series of listening sessions for the wider campus community to collect feedback and input. In addition to the listening sessions, the search committee will email a comprehensive survey to the campus community in late August.
Presidential Search
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