Presidential Search

The Code of Regulations of the University of Dayton (our governing document) provides the steps that must be followed for the selection of the president and articulates a structured and rigorous process overseen by UD’s board of trustees.

The process unfolds in several key stages:

The first step is for the executive committee of the board of trustees to appoint the search committee and its chairperson(s). The code specifically requires the first vice chairperson of the board of trustees, who is also the Provincial of the Marianist Province of the United States, and UD’s rector, to be members of the search committee. 

The search committee is then responsible for preparing a comprehensive position description and candidate profile. In alignment with our institutional identity, the search gives preference to qualified candidates who are members of the Society of Mary. However, the search is open to individuals who are Roman Catholic and possess the proven ability to provide strong leadership for UD as a Catholic and Marianist university. With support from search firm Isaacson, Miller, we have completed the position description and candidate profile. Notice of the position has been posted in the Chronicle of Higher Education and related national publications.

The presidential search advisory committee will evaluate applications, assess candidates and provide recommendations to the executive committee of the board of trustees.

The executive committee of the board of trustees then makes their recommendation for president to the "Members of the University" who must approve the recommendation by a two-thirds vote. (Per UD’s Code of Regulations, the "Members of the University" consist of each of the members of the Provincial Council of Marianist Province of the United States and chairperson of the board of trustees and the president of the University of Dayton.) When approved by the Members, the executive committee shall submit the recommendation to the board of trustees. The recommended candidate for president then needs to be elected by a two-thirds vote of the total membership of the board of trustees.

Isaacson, Miller, an executive search firm with deep expertise in higher education and considerable experience working with UD, will assist the committee in their work. The national search is open to internal and external candidates.

• Deborah Tobias, chair of the UD board of trustees (chair of search advisory committee)
• Brother Tim Driscoll, S.M, vice president for mission and rector and member of UD's board of trustees (co-chair of search advisory committee)
• Ryan Allen, executive director, UD Learning Teaching Center and UD Center for Online Learning
• Jackie Arnold, president of UD's academic senate; professor in UD's School of Education and Health Sciences
• Tom Barker, UD board of trustees
• Mary Boosalis, community representative, past UD board of trustees chair
• Trevor Collier, dean, School of Business Administration
• Kenya Crosson, associate professor and associate dean for faculty and staff affairs in UD's School of Engineering
• David Dunn, director of initiatives, innovation and collaboration, UDRI
• Mike Herr, UD board of trustees
• Andy Horner, UD executive vice president for business and administrative services
• Arabella Loera, third-year UD law student and 2023 UD graduate
• Emily Lopez-Espino, junior undergraduate, UD health and wellness major
• Lisa Payne Wansley, UD board of trustees
• Leslie Picca, executive director of the University Honors Program; professor in UD's College of Arts and Sciences
• Brother Ed Violett, S.M., UD board of trustees and incoming provincial of the Marianists of the United States
• Joe Weidenbach, UD board of trustees
• Sharon White, UD board of trustees and president of the UD Alumni Association

• Eric F. Spina, UD's 19th president, announced his retirement (Feb. 6, 2026). 
• Update on presidential transition and announcement of search firm (via email on Feb. 10, 2026).
• Announcement of presidential search advisory committee and dates of listening sessions (via email on Feb. 24, 2026).

Community listening sessions, held by the presidential search committee and Isaacson, Miller, are a critical first step in defining what characteristics our community desires in the next president. Community input will directly inform the candidate profile used to recruit and evaluate candidates.

Thursday, March 12

• 8:00-9:00 - Student session
• 9:30-10:30 - Staff session
• 11:00-12:00 - Faculty session
• 1:00-2:00 - Marianists / MEA session
• 2:00-3:00 - PLC/Alumni Board session (virtual)
• 3:00-4:00 - Academic (SALT) and Operations (PC) leadership (virtual)
• 4:30-6:00  - Community session

Friday, March 13

• 8:30-9:30 - ECAS
• 10:00-11:00 - Search Advisory Committee
• 11:30-12:30 - Cabinet

Wednesday, April 15

• 3:00-4:00 - Faculty and Staff session (virtual)
• 4:00-5:00 - Emeritus Trustees session (virtual)

Input from the listening sessions was used to inform the candidate profile used to recruit and evaluate candidates. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process.

The University of Dayton officially launched a comprehensive national search to identify and recruit our next president. Notice of the position has been posted in the Chronicle of Higher Education and related national publications.

The presidential search advisory committee will evaluate applications, assess candidates and provide recommendations to the executive committee of the board of trustees.

• New president takes office July 2027.