- John Coleman, Chair
- Sarah Warren, Vice Chair
- Mairo Akpose-Simpson, Trustee
- Sheila Allen, Trustee
- Brad Bushnell, Trustee
- Angie Lewis, Trustee
overview
Dr. Steve Briggs, president of Berry College, has announced his retirement effective at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year. The Berry College Board of Trustees has initiated a national search for the college's ninth president.
Nationally recognized for academic excellence and extraordinary value, Berry College is an independent, coeducational institution of approximately 2,200 students. For more than a century, the college has offered a comprehensive educational program that balances intellectual exploration, practical learning and character development.
Berry's Next President
The ideal candidate will embody a profound and personal alignment with Berry College – upholding our mission to combine academic exploration with meaningful hands-on work experiences in a residential setting that prioritizes mentorship and a culture of belonging. In the spirit of our founder, Martha Berry, this servant leader will ensure investment in the personal growth and professional development of students from varied backgrounds. We seek a visionary of high integrity and humility who will champion 21st-century growth and innovation while honoring Berry’s legacy, traditions and deep commitment to the community.
Presidential Search Committee
The national search for Berry College's ninth president will be led by a search committee, which is responsible for recruiting, screening and engaging prospective candidates. The Board of Trustees have approved procedures for the selection of a president, including the selection of a national search firm (CarterBaldwin).
John Coleman will lead the presidential search effort. The search committee includes:
- Brent Ragsdale, Trustee
- Bert Clark, Board Vice Chair
- Rick Gilbert, Board Chair
- Brian Erb, Staff representative
- Michael Papazian, Faculty representative
- Grace Harmon, Student representative
timeline
Berry's Board of Trustees is committed to finding the right person to serve as president – and the process will take time. This is a projected general timeline for the search process, and we hope to meet our anticipated year-end deadline.
Previous Updates
October 31, 2024
The search committee met with a small group of highly qualified finalists. We are now moving toward the final stages of the process. Read more.
October 4, 2024
Our search partners, CarterBaldwin, have received more than 170 formal applications. Read more.
July 15, 2024
The Search Profile is live, and the recruitment of candidates is formally underway. Read more.
June 10, 2024
We invite members of our community to contribute their thoughts and preferences by completing a brief survey. Read more.
April 5, 2024
Board of Trustees Chairman Rick Gilbert announces the Presidential Search Committee. Read more.
April 2, 2024
Dr. Steve Briggs, President of Berry College, announces his retirement. Read more.
CarterBaldwin is a retained executive search firm managed by a partnership team with more than 125 years of combined experience. The company is listed among the top 1% of search firms in the nation by Hunt Scanlon and recognized consecutively by the prestigious Inc. 500 list of America's fastest-growing privately held companies.