Presidential Search

In October 2025, Elmira College president, Dr. Charles W. Lindsay, announced his plan to retire at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 academic year.  On-going updates on the search process, including the search committee, leadership profile, timeline, and opportunities for the EC community to participate in the search process as well as celebrations for Dr. Lindsay, will be shared on this page. 

We invite our EC community to share your thoughts on the Presidential Search or nominate a potential candidate:

EC Presidential Search Survey

Nominate a Candidate

 
Students walking on campus

Leadership Profile

Elmira College seeks an accomplished, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader to serve as its 16th President. The ideal candidate is a steady, strategic, and student-centered leader who will build on Elmira's current momentum while honoring its traditions, values, and close-knit community. With strong experience in enrollment, fundraising, and fiscal leadership, the next president will inspire confidence across constituencies, engage deeply with the campus community, and lead with empathy, integrity, and resilience to advance the College’s long-term success.

View Leadership Profile

 
Timeline
  • Mid-December 2025: Listening Sessions with campus stakeholders and search committee kick-off meeting
  • January 5, 2026: Search launch
  • Winter-Spring 2026: Active recruitment period
  • March 16, 2026: Priority application date
  • Spring 2026: Interviews (1st and finalist round)
  • Late spring-early summer 2026: Announcement
 
Search Committee
  • George H. Winner, Jr. (Committee Chair), Board of Trustees Chair 
  • Nanette Smith Callihan ’79, Trustee and alumna 
  • Paula Lee Hobson, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Engagement 
  • Johanna Knickerbocker ’26, Student Association President 
  • Dr. Charles Mitchell, Professor of American Studies 
  • Dr. Matt Seybold, Associate Professor of American Literature and Mark Twain Studies 
  • Chad Thorley ’02, Trustee and alumnus 
  • Clare Cantrill van den Blink ’93, Trustee Vice Chair and alumna 
 
News & Updates

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