As the search for a new president is underway, there has been a great deal of action on campus. Issacson, Miller is the search firm that has been hired to find a new president of Saint Anselm College. David A. Haley and Leslie C. McCarthy are leading the search.

The firm started the process with a meeting, which was comprised of representatives from the board of trustees, monastic community, faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Later that day, students from each class year had the opportunity to have dinner and discussion with the firm.

Colleen Tracy, Class of 2015 Vice President stated, “I felt comfortable telling the firm anything because I could tell they were interested in everything the students had to say”.

The firm started by giving the students their mission and history. Some similar schools that Issacson, Miller conducted searches for were Saint Joseph’s College, Rivier College, Regis College, Anna Maria College, and Salve Regina.

Zachary Camenker, Class of 2015 Secretary shared, “It was very reassuring to know that the firm was so knowledgeable on the search and that they are truly going to do their very best for appointing the new president. They worked so well with the students present and were very good at listening to our thoughts”.

Mr. Haley and Ms. McCarthy asked the students to describe the environment on campus and their concerns about the institutions future. The concerns of the students consisted of overcrowding in dorms, academic advisement, interdepartmental communication, diversity of students, and technology. The students in the room did not stop talking and had much to provide the search firm with.

A big question of the night was what the students wanted to see in the new president; they responded unanimously that they wanted a president to be exactly what Father Jonathan embodies. Each of the students took the time to share a personal story of Father Jonathan and how he impacted their education at Saint Anselm College in a positive way. Students stated that they do not know in what other college in the country does the president take the time to stop and ask you how your classes are going or competes against you at Pub Trivia on Tuesday evenings.

Father Jonathan, over the years, impacted many; therefore, the students said that they would like to see the position of the president to stay within the monastic community, but if not, they would like it to be an Anselmian of some sorts—someone who currently works here or is an alumnus. Another concern of students was the longevity of the position. Many were aware that Father Jonathan’s dedicated service is abnormal and that most institutions have a president for three to four years before changing again.

David McKillop, Class of 2015 President, shared, “It was an excellent experience to have the students express what we are looking for in our leader. What we expect our leader to do is to uphold the reputation that Saint Anselm has”.

The firm was truly impressed with the caliber of the students. They told the board of trustees and the administration that they have never met students like ones that they met at Saint Anselm College as they truly cared about the future of the institution. There is a lot of work for the subcommittee moving forward, but as Tracy concluded, “I am confident that with the firms help, the subcommittee will choose the best candidate for the position.”