Presidential Search

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This page serves as an official resource for information and updates regarding the search for 91茄子鈥檚 eighth president. It is intended to inform members of the 91茄子community and external stakeholders about the structure, timeline, and progress of the search process.

The University is committed to conducting a thorough, inclusive, and transparent search that reflects its mission, values, and strategic priorities. Updates will be posted to this site as the search advances and key milestones are reached.

Presidential Search Profile (.pdf)

Search Progress Update

June 16, 2026

I write today on behalf of the Board of Trustees to announce that James Cousins, Ph.D. has been named the eighth president of 91茄子 and will officially begin his tenure on August 1.

An historian and lifelong educator, Dr. Cousins joins us from Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, Kentucky, where he has served as president since 2024. Under his leadership, the college launched its first graduate program, established strategic community partnerships and strengthened its financial position. Prior to this role, he improved the college鈥檚 academic profile and directed numerous strategic initiatives as the provost and vice president of academic affairs. A passionate advocate for the student experience, Dr. Cousins also served as an associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Michigan University, where he led efforts to enhance student success, recruitment, academic advising, curricular reform and accreditation.

We will have the privilege of introducing you to Dr. Cousins at a press conference at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, in the E.S. Farley Library. A reception will follow the official announcement, providing you with a chance to meet our president-elect and his family. If you are unable to attend the announcement in person, livestream coverage of the event will be available at wilkes.edu/incomingpresident.

This unanimous appointment concludes an extensive national search led by a dedicated committee of University representatives. Guided by feedback from the campus community and the expertise of our partners at Academic Search, the committee developed a position description and prospectus that resulted in more than 140 applicants. The committee narrowed this list to a group of 13 semi-finalists. After a first-round of interviews, three finalists were invited to visit campus and participate in a series of meetings with more than 70 individuals from across the University. The committee was pleased that at each stage of the review process, candidates of diverse backgrounds and experiences were considered.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the search committee who devoted countless hours to this very important process:

Students John Buonanno and Emma Miller
Faculty members Jonathan Kuiken and Ken Wang
Staff members Robert Eskra and Kelli McCullough
Administrators Kerianne Geist 鈥�00 and Jared Menghini
Trustees Dan Cardell 鈥�79, Susan Davis 鈥�85, Willie Eggleston Pharm.D. 鈥�14 and Bill Hanbury 鈥�72

Like any milestone in the life of an institution, the successful conclusion of this presidential search was made possible through the dedication of our campus community. My fellow Trustees, search committee members and I look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with you on June 25. Until then, I wish you my very best.

Bill Miller '81
Chair, Board of Trustees

Previous Update: April 17, 2026

I am pleased to report that we received a large pool of talented applicants with broad and varied backgrounds. This robust response is a direct result of the strategic outreach and recruitment efforts for the search. Many candidates noted they were attracted to 91茄子because of its compelling mission, the diverse and innovative programs we offer and its location in northeastern Pennsylvania.

The search committee will meet next week to identify a group of candidates to invite for initial interviews. We will continue our work over the next several weeks, conducting multiple rounds of thorough interviews and performing the kind of due diligence you might expect with a presidential search.

While the search committee continues to observe strict confidentiality to protect those who are engaged in the search, be assured that we are dedicated to the critical task and common goal of identifying an exceptional new leader to guide us into the next chapter and reflect our mission, values and vision at Wilkes.

I want to acknowledge and thank the entire 91茄子community for your support and for advancing our programs and reputation in a way that has attracted such a large pool of talented candidates.

As we move forward with strong momentum and engagement, I will continue to share additional news as the search progresses.

Bill Miller '81
Chair, Board of Trustees

Previous Update: February 17, 2026

As we look ahead and continue moving forward together, I want to thank the entire 91茄子community for your patience, resilience, and ongoing support during this period of transition. It has been an honor to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees, and I am deeply grateful for the strength, pride, and commitment that define Wilkes.

One of our most important priorities is the search for Wilkes鈥� eighth president. The Board of Trustees and campus community seek an inspiring and collaborative leader who will champion the University鈥檚 student-centered mission and guide it through a period of strategic growth and renewal. The President will inspire a unified sense of purpose, galvanizing the campus around a shared vision that embraces academic excellence, financial resilience, and dynamic partnerships.

The search committee is now in place, representing trustees, faculty, staff, students, and the broader University community, and the process is actively underway. A search firm has been selected, and throughout the spring the committee will focus on building a strong pool of candidates, conducting interviews, and engaging with stakeholders.

Our anticipated timeline includes identifying finalists in late spring, selecting a candidate in early summer, and welcoming our new president in August, with an installation to follow in the fall. Throughout this process, the Board remains committed to transparency, thoughtful engagement, and ensuring that the next leader of 91茄子is well positioned to guide the institution into the future.

Thank you for your continued belief in and support of Wilkes. We look forward to sharing updates as the search progresses and to continuing this important work together.

Bill Miller '81
Chair, Board of Trustees

Questions?

Jennifer Kooken
Consultant, Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff
Academic Search
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Search Timeline 2026

Mid-February

The search posting goes live on the Academic Search website and in approved online advertising venues.
February - April

Search consultants build a candidate pool. The search committee meets to prepare for candidate evaluation.
Late April - May

The search committee conducts confidential interviews with semi-finalist candidates. The finalists visit campus for confidential interviews.

June

The Board of Trustees selects a candidate of choice. Appointment of president announced.
Summer

The new president takes office.

Discover 91茄子

Located on a compact 35-acre campus, 91茄子 offers a unique architectural and academic environment where historic mansions stand alongside modern facilities. The campus is situated in the heart of a vibrant downtown district and is conveniently located within two hours of Philadelphia and New York City.

The lively community surrounding campus further enhances the University鈥檚 appeal. A dynamic and diverse local dining scene, walkable cultural amenities and access to River Common Park along the Susquehanna River provide opportunities for recreation, engagement and beautiful scenery. The Pocono Mountains are a short drive away and offer a wide range of year-round outdoor activities, supporting an outstanding quality of life for University leadership and their families.

91茄子offers a mix of in-demand undergraduate, master鈥檚 and terminal degree programs delivered through three colleges: the Dr. Bing K. Wong College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Engineering, and the College of Health and Education. We encourage students to explore opportunities in our robust academic programs, clubs and organizations to enhance their educational experiences and learn more about who they are. Students can gain real-world experience in their field beginning with their first year on campus, and faculty work alongside students to conduct innovative research. We offer the tools, support and resources to empower our students in pursuing their passions and interests.

Our 13:1 student-faculty ratio provides students with personalized hands-on guidance to help them define success on their own terms. Our faculty, 94% of whom hold the highest degree in their fields, and engaged staff foster a safe and inclusive community of belonging to ensure our students have every chance to flourish, discover facets of themselves and create the lives they want.

Student Success

About the Search

Presidential Search Committee

Bill Miller - Chair, Board of Trustees
Jared Menghini - Vice President, Enrollment Management
Kerianne Geist - Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Kelli McCullough - Executive Assistant to the President & Board of Trustees
Bill Hanbury - Board of Trustee Member, Chair of Advancement Committee
Susan Davis - Board of Trustee Member, Chair of Marketing & Communications Committee
Willie Eggleston - Board of Trustee Member, Chair of Academic Excellence & Student Success Committee
Dan Cardell - Board of Trustee Member, Chair of Investment Advisory Subcommittee
Robert Eskra - University Staff Advisory Council Chair, Esports Manager
Jon Kuiken - Associate Professor of History and Director of Honors Program
Ken Wang - Associate Professor of Finance
John Buonanno - P2 Pharmacy Student
Emma Miller - First-Year Mechanical Engineering Student

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is confidentiality so important in a search process?

Many candidates will hold key positions at other institutions and will submit an application only if confidentiality is guaranteed. Members of the search committee have signed an agreement that secures confidentiality for all discussions, documents, and deliberations related to the search.
What is the role of the search committee chair?

The search chair is the official spokesperson for the search committee and, thus, the only individual authorized to speak on behalf of the search committee and the search process. The chair will provide regular updates to the campus community.
What information can search committee members share with me?

The information search committee members are able to share with the campus community is limited. The committee members are bound by a code of conduct that requires they not share any information discussed during search committee meetings, nor any information related to candidates, even after the search has closed.
Whom do I contact if I want to share specific information or if I have a question about the search?

Please contact the search consultants with any information or questions.
Will there be regular updates on the search?

Yes, the search chair will provide regular updates to the campus community at critical points in the search, and these updates will be posted to this website.
How can I make a nomination?

You can make nominations on the form on this website or by submitting them in confidence to WilkesPresident@academicsearch.org email link. If you are considering nominating someone, please carefully review the qualifications and experiences as outlined in the position profile before submitting a nomination. Your nomination will go directly to the search consultants, who will reach out to the nominee. The search consultants will not provide your name to the nominee, but you are free to do so.
Are internal candidates treated any differently from external candidates?

Internal candidates are vetted in the same way as external candidates. All candidates are assessed based on the criteria identified in the position profile. The committee very carefully selects the strongest candidates, either internal or external, for further consideration based on the required and desired qualifications.
How will members of the campus community participate in the search process?

Many members of the campus community met with the consultants during the initial campus visit and/or shared feedback via the survey. The information shared during this visit is particularly valuable during the recruiting phase of the search process.
When will the appointee take office?

The announcement of the new president is expected in June 2026, and the new president will assume office in August 2026.

About Academic Search and Search Consultant

91茄子 has selected Academic Search as consultants to conduct the presidential search.

For nearly five decades, Academic Search has offered executive search services to hiring education institutions, associations, and related organizations. Academic Search was founded by higher education leaders on the principle that we provide the most value to partner institutions by combining best practices with our deep knowledge and experience. Our mission today is to enhance institutional capacity by providing outstanding executive recruitment services, executive coaching, and transition support, in partnership with our parent organization, the American Academic Leadership Institute.