Dear Talladega College Community and External Stakeholders,
Today, I am pleased to appoint and introduce the Talladega College Presidential Search Committee members. The members, a distinguished group representing the Talladega College Board of Trustees, students, faculty, administration, alumni, and the broader Talladega community, bring a wealth of diverse expertise, professional interests, and accomplishments to the table. Each has agreed to make the significant commitment of time and dedication needed to identify highly qualified candidates for the critical position of Talladega College’s 22nd president. They share one crucial common trait: a deep devotion to Talladega College’s future.
As a part of this announcement, I am also pleased to announce that Talladega College Board of Trustees member Dr. Monique Gardner Witherspoon will serve as chair of the Presidential Search Committee. Dr. Gardner Witherspoon is serving her second term on our Board of Trustees and is our Board’s Secretary and Chair of the Academic Excellence Committee. Joining Dr. Gardner Witherspoon on the Committee are the following 14 members:
The Search Committee will ultimately recommend a small number of highly qualified candidates to the Talladega College Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees and College stakeholders will interview the finalists and select the next president of Talladega College. The Committee will be assisted by the executive search firm POLIHIRE. POLIHIRE's role is to provide expertise and support in the identification and evaluation of potential candidates. Since 2006, POLIHIRE has built a record of unparalleled success in identifying leadership with a focus on excellence, accountability, and diversity in public-serving agencies and organizations. As an organization, POLIHIRE partners with public-serving and mission-based organizations to deeply understand their leadership needs and identify the highest-caliber candidates whose skill sets, demonstrated track record, and future aspirations are aligned with their clients’ commitment to service, excellence, and equity.
Additional details about the search timeline will be available on a search website, ensuring transparency and keeping you informed every step of the way. Once it is available, a link to the site will be shared.
The Presidential Search Committee's initial meeting was held on Wednesday, December 4th. The members provided brief introductions at this meeting and discussed the Search Timeline, which outlines the key milestones and deadlines of the search process, and the Leadership Prospectus, which details the qualities and qualifications the Committee and stakeholder groups are looking for in the next president.
With these distinguished and dedicated Committee members in place, we look forward to formally launching our presidential search with the focus needed to ensure we identify the best leader to take Talladega College into the future. We are deeply grateful to each member for their willingness to serve on this important Committee.
Sincerely,
Rica Lewis-Payton, ’81
Chair, Talladega College Board of Trustees
