Members of the Coastal Carolina University community and public are encouraged to attend a series of listening sessions on Oct. 14-15 to share input on the search for the next president of the University.

The listening sessions will be hosted by the board of trustees, in collaboration with the executive firm Buffkin/Baker. Feedback provided by faculty, staff, students, alumni, and members of the public will help refine the criteria by which the presidential search advisory committee screens and evaluates candidates.

Buffkin/Baker is leading the search and candidate recruitment process on behalf of CCU and the board of trustees. The contract was awarded through a competitive sealed proposal process required of state agencies under the S.C. Procurement Code. 

The Buffkin/Baker team has a strong record of executive-level searches, both within private and public institutions, as well as success in attracting a strong pool of diverse candidates. The firm also has significant experience conducting CEO and other executive-level searches outside of higher education.  

“We are very excited to partner with Buffkin/Baker in the search process for CCU’s next president,” said Delan Stevens, vice chair of the CCU board of trustees and chair of the presidential search advisory committee. “We are also very fortunate that President DeCenzo is willing to serve his final year prior to retirement to work with the incoming president as needed.” 

CCU President David A. DeCenzo, Ph.D., previously informed the board of his retirement, effective June 30, 2021. The board of trustees has ultimate authority in hiring the next president. However, a search advisory committee will assist in the search process.   

The sessions are intended to gather input on the qualities and characteristics that CCU stakeholders hope to see in the next president. Feedback from the sessions, together with input from the presidential search advisory committee, will aid in the development of the leadership profile utilized to attract candidates.

“This is a historical transition for this great institution, and we want to ensure that members of the CCU community are able to fully engage in this process," Stevens said.

While sessions are generally targeted to specific stakeholder groups, all sessions are open to all members of the University community and the public.

Monday, Oct. 14

Tuesday, Oct. 15

Individuals who are unable to attend any of the listening sessions are invited to submit feedback to presidentialsearch@coastal.edu.