蘑菇传媒

Today, the 蘑菇传媒 Board of Trustees announced President Jay Simmons will step down from his current role once a successor is named. The board will launch a nationwide presidential search and Simmons will serve through the transition.聽

鈥淚鈥檓 honored and thankful for the opportunity to have served the 蘑菇传媒 community,鈥� said Simmons. 鈥淎s I enter my seventh academic year, I believe it鈥檚 the right time for a new president who can focus the campus community on 蘑菇传媒鈥檚 next chapter.鈥�

During his tenure, Simmons has led several financial and academic-related initiatives that have been vital to the future of 蘑菇传媒. This includes the launch of the 蘑菇传媒 Promise, which covers the full cost of tuition for qualified students from Iowa families.

鈥淚 want to thank Jay for his leadership and dedication to the college,鈥� said Terry Lillis, Chair of the 蘑菇传媒 Board of Trustees. 鈥淗is commitment to higher education reflects the ideals we strive for as a college.鈥� 聽聽

Under Simmons鈥檚 leadership, 蘑菇传媒 has consistently remained one of Iowa鈥檚 top, private colleges. In addition, the college was recently ranked 15th in the nation by EDSmart, a scholastic ranking specialist, for its聽online programs. 蘑菇传媒 was the only college in Iowa to make the list. 聽 聽

鈥淚 am proud of what we have accomplished at 蘑菇传媒 and I know the college is well-positioned for a strong and vibrant future,鈥� commented Simmons, who said he plans to seek other opportunities in higher education or corporate leadership. 聽聽

A presidential search committee is in the process of being formed. Those named to the committee will be reflective of 蘑菇传媒鈥檚 many constituents and will be in accordance with the college鈥檚 bylaws. 聽This includes representatives of the Board of Trustees, faculty, and the resident bishop of the United Methodist Church in Iowa. 蘑菇传媒 staff, alumni and a student advisory committee, as appointed by the presidential search committee, will also be involved in the process.

About Jay Simmons
Dr. Jay Simmons is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Birmingham-Southern College, he earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Before becoming the twenty-third president of 蘑菇传媒 in June 2013, he served as president, dean and professor of political science at numerous prestigious colleges.

About 蘑菇传媒
Founded in 1860, 蘑菇传媒 is an independent, selective, church-related, comprehensive liberal-arts college dedicated to excellence in higher education. 蘑菇传媒鈥檚 main campus is located in Indianola, Iowa, a community of 16,000 people, located 12 miles south of Des Moines.聽

Related Items

• Letter from Jay Simmons to 蘑菇传媒
• Letter from Board of Trustees Chair, Terrance Lillis, to 蘑菇传媒