Presidential Search
University board announces interim president
The Rochester Christian University Board of Trustees has selected Tom Rellinger, executive vice president and chief financial officer, to serve as interim president until a new leader begins his or her official duties in 2025.
Search Overview
Dr. Brian Stogner, president of Rochester Christian University, announced his resignation effective Dec. 31, 2024, as he moves on to become president of the Michigan School of Psychology in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
Stogner, a professor of psychology and an alumnus who has worked at RCU in various roles for more than 25 years, stepped into leadership of the university when he became interim president in 2016. His interim title was removed the next year. Before that, he served as provost, executive vice president, director of the Health and Behavioral Sciences Institute, and chair of the Department of Behavioral Sciences.
Stogner said he believes RCU has “great potential, perhaps more now than ever in its history,” and he believes it is “time for new leadership to take the institution to the next level.”
Dr. Joe F. Alexander, Board of Trustees chair, said, “On behalf of the board and the entire university community, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Stogner for his outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to RCU. His vision and unwavering commitment have guided the institution through a number of significant challenges over the years. He will be missed when he leaves, and we wish him the very best.”
Invitation to Prayer
The Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Advisory Committe (PSAC) invite prayers from the RCU community during this journey of selecting our next presidential leader. Here are some specific ways you can pray for us:
- Pray for potential candidates as they discern God’s leading to apply for the position.
- Pray for wisdom and discernment for the search committee and FaithSearch Partners as they evaluate candidates.
About Rochester Christian University
Rochester Christian University is an accredited liberal arts educational institution firmly grounded in the teachings of Jesus. The university offers majors in traditional and accelerated learning formats, and master’s degrees in missional leadership, sport leadership, and clinical psychology. Educational programs in areas such as business, computer science, education, mass communication, ministry, nursing and psychology prepare students for productive careers while emphasizing Christian values and integrity.
The university affirms its commitment to a holistic education that offers unique opportunities for faculty-student mentoring. The institution promotes an inclusive learning experience by welcoming students from all backgrounds, regions of the United States and foreign countries. Students, faculty and staff interact to create a healthy environment of mutual respect where every individual is heard, welcomed and respected.
Executive Search Firm
The Rochester Christian University Board of Trustees has selected FaithSearch Partners of Dallas to assist with a national search for its next president.
FaithSearch is a nationally known executive search management firm with primary expertise in identifying mission-driven leadership for Christian organizations. Andrew Westmoreland, FaithSearch senior vice president, will serve as point person for the search. Westmoreland was president of Samford University from 2006 to 2021 and is also past chair of the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which oversees accreditation for more than 800 colleges and universities from Virginia to Texas.
Dr. Joe Alexander, chair of the RCU Board of Trustees, said, “As we select our next university president, we are crafting a search that will be national in scope, ensuring that we identify the top candidates and to ultimately select the best possible next leader for RCU.”
Alexander said the presidential search committee will consist of a broad cross-section of RCU stakeholders. “We remain committed to our historical mission of being a leader in providing ‘values-based’ education and to doing our part in showcasing Rochester and the surrounding community,” he said.
Members of the FaithSearch Partners team are expected to be on campus for initial stakeholder interviews in advance of formally launching the search next month.
The university affirms its commitment to a holistic education that offers unique opportunities for faculty-student mentoring. The institution promotes an inclusive learning experience by welcoming students from all backgrounds, regions of the United States and foreign countries. Students, faculty and staff interact to create a healthy environment of mutual respect where every individual is heard, welcomed and respected.
Search Process and Timeline
- Interactive phase
- Listening sessions on campus with stakeholder groups
- PSAC committee processes stakeholder feedback from listening sessions
- PSAC committee and board develop Presidential Position Profile
- Quiet phase
- FaithSearch Partners sources, screens and interviews candidates.
- PSAC interaction with FaithSearch Partners
- Candidates presented to PSAC
- PSAC selects semi-finalists
- PSAC interviews semi-finalists
- NOTE: Given the nature of a presidential search, and the desire of confidentiality among leading candidates, the identities of the finalists will not be made public before the new president is named.
- Finalist(s) return with spouse for broader interview with board
- Board of Trustees’ votes to appoint next president
- Offer extended and accepted
- Public announcement of new president
- NOTE: Given the nature of a presidential search, and the desire of confidentiality among leading candidates, the identities of the finalists will not be made public before the new president is named.
- New president begins service at Rochester Christian University
Presidential Search Advisory Committee
- Bill Anderson, Chair of PSAC, Board of Trustees
- Joe Alexander, Chair of Board of Trustees
- Teri Butcher, Staff Senate President, Director of Advising
- Rob Clarke, Board of Trustees
- Nilla Kanjoma, Student President
- Rhonda Lowry, Board of Trustees
- Que Morgan, President, Alumni Board
- Naomi Walters, Faculty Senate Chair, Dean of the School of Theology & Ministry
- Rick Watson, Board of Trustees
FAQs
The process for selecting the president resides with the university’s Board of Trustees. And while the board will make the final selection for the next university leader, stakeholders from each area — including students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and community members– were invited to participate in the search process.
In early October, the presidential search advisory committee provided opportunities for campus and community members to share thoughts and suggestions on the development of the presidential profile and position description. Using this input from the community, the search firm will seek out, screen and interview candidates for the position. The committee will then interview candidates, and present finalist(s) to the Board of Trustees and, in alignment with its bylaws, the board will select the university’s next president.
The PSAC is led by Bill Anderson who selected the committee in deliberation with the Board of Trustees.
RCU’s Board of Trustees selected the executive search firm FaithSearch Partners (FSP) to support the national search for the university’s next president. FSP will serve as an advisor and resource for the board and presidential search committee. Using a search firm allows the university to expand the scope of its search by identifying and reaching out to potential candidates, conduct research and due diligence on candidates, and assist with advertising the position. RCU’s board selected FSP for its proven expertise and success in identifying and recruiting executive-level leaders for Christian higher education.
The Board of Trustees welcomes all stakeholders to participate in the search process for the university’s next president. Individuals may participate in listening sessions to provide input on the important qualifications, experience and characteristics necessary for the next president; they also may share their thoughts by sending an email to awestmoreland@faithsearchpartners.com.
When appropriate, the chair of the board and the PSAC will provide updates to the university community via the mass email system and the presidential search webpage.
However, it is also important to realize that many aspects of the presidential search process are confidential; for example, it is a common national practice to maintain the confidentiality of the nominees and candidates during the search process. Maintaining a confidential search enables candidates who may be employed at other institutions to participate without risk to their professional standing; providing this option allows RCU to recruit the largest, most diverse and most talented pool of candidates.
The Board of Trustees selected FaithSearch Partners (FSP) to support the comprehensive search for the next university president. FSP will identify and connect with individuals whose qualifications and experience may align with RCU’s presidential profile and position description. While the majority of applicants will likely come from within the country, this will also be an international search in scope, as FPS will source and recruit prospects both inside and outside the U.S.
The board also strongly encourages members of the RCU community to nominate candidates for the university’s next president. Individuals may be internal to RCU or from institutions and organizations worldwide.
Nominations should be sent via email to awestmoreland@faithsearchpartners.com. Be sure to include the recommended candidate’s:
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
If you are interested in nominating someone, including yourself, as a potential candidate, please send an email to awestmoreland@faithsearchpartners.com. All nominations are confidential, will be reviewed, and considered.
RCU’s Board of Trustees is committed to finding the right leader to serve as the next president – and the process will take time. A projected general timeline for the search process will be available on the presidential search website. Once the search is complete and a final candidate has been selected and appropriately vetted, the Board of Trustees will meet to appoint the president and work with the university’s communications team to coordinate a campus and public announcement.
