President

AGB Search; Kentucky; On-site; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

AGB Search is assisting Stark State College in finding its next president to lead the institution towards a future of innovation and student success. The ideal candidate should possess a doctoral degree, a minimum of 10 years in higher education leadership, and experience with workforce development and community engagement.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the college's response to workforce and educational demands in Northeast Ohio. Applications are encouraged to be submitted by July 24, 2026, through the AGB Search portal.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education.
• Demonstrated success in senior-level administration.
• Community or technical college leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Stark State College as its next president.
• Shape the future of workforce-responsive higher education.
• Engage with external stakeholders and the community.

Skills

Leadership in higher education

Workforce development

Student-centered instruction

Strategic planning

Education

Doctoral degree from an accredited institution

Job description

The Stark State College Board of Trustees seeks an innovative, future-focused and student-centered leader to serve as the College’s next president and help shape the future of workforce-responsive higher education in Northeast Ohio. This role is an opportunity to lead one of Ohio’s largest and most financially stable community colleges at a time of significant regional growth, workforce transformation and evolving educational demand.

Founded in 1960, Stark State College is a student-centered community college providing open access to high quality, affordable education aligned with workforce needs and university transfer. With campuses in Stark and Summit counties, the College serves nearly 13,000 students annually and is the fifth largest of 22 public two-year colleges in the University System of Ohio. Stark State offers more than 200 associate degree, bachelor’s degree, certificate and credential programs that prepare students for immediate employment, career advancement or continued education.

The ideal candidate will be student-centered, strategically agile and externally engaged, with the ability to lead confidently through rapid change and position Stark State as a model for innovation, workforce responsiveness and student success. An earned doctoral degree from a regionally accredited or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognized institution; and a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in a higher education institution, including demonstrated success in a senior‑level administrator role, are required. Community or technical college leadership experience with demonstrated workforce development and employer engagement success is strongly preferred, and experience teaching in a higher education setting (or equivalent experience), reflecting an understanding of faculty roles and student-centered instruction, is preferred.

The full position profile can be found on the above. Additional information about Stark State College can be found at www.starkstate.edu

Nominations and Applications

AGB Search is pleased to assist Stark State College with this Presidential Search.

To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by July 24, 2026. Application materials should be submitted in PDF format through the AGB Search portal at: President – Stark State College and must include the following:

• A letter of interest addressing the leadership agenda and qualifications identified in the profile;
• A curriculum vitae;
• The contact information for five professional references, including email address, phone number, and relationship to the candidate. No references will be contacted without prior explicit approval.

Please direct nominations, confidential inquiries or any questions regarding the application process to [e-mail] or one of the AGB Search consultants listed below.

Stark State College is committed to equal opportunity for all and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, military status, pregnancy, disability, age, genetic information, or sexual orientation. The College also prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports discrimination or harassment, participates in an investigation, or exercises rights protected under applicable laws and College policies.