Position/Campus Profile

About Purchase College

Purchase College is considered a “gem” in the SUNY system for its success combining excellent liberal arts and sciences programs with superb professional conservatory and studio programs in the performing and visual arts. Founded in 1967, the College is built on a three-school academic structure: the School of the Arts, the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the School of Continuing Education. In addition to educating 3,283 undergraduate students across its47 major degree programs, Purchase also educates 77graduate students in four graduate degree programs.

Ranked as one of the Top Ten Public Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, Purchase is also on its list of most ethnically diverse liberal arts colleges. The Princeton Review praised the College for its excellent academic programs in the liberal arts and sciences as well as the performing and visual arts, including Purchase on its list of the most LGBTQ-friendly colleges. Additionally, Purchase ranked number one on the list of Best College Theaters.

As a public institution, Purchase College promotes lifelong learning for students of all ages, backgrounds, and incomes, and extends the arts to the larger community through performances and exhibitions at The Performing Arts Center and the Neuberger Museum of Art. As an educational institution, cultural and artistic center, community resource, and gateway to opportunity, Purchase is committed to enriching the lives of the public it serves. The gymnasium and top-of-the-line athletic fields are available for sports and fitness activities and are used extensively by local schools and athletic leagues. The College’s extensive grounds which were designed by renowned architect Edward Larabee Barnes provide an attractive mixture of sports fields, forests, and architecturally distinctive buildings that is intended to present a ‘city in the country’ experience for residential and commuter students alike. The College also welcomes members of the community to its model daycare center, The Children’s Center at Purchase.

The Role of President

Purchase College, a top ranked liberal arts college with nationally renowned conservatory programs in the performing and visual arts, seeks a collaborative, growth-oriented, creative, and inspirational President who is deeply committed to public higher education and to promoting inquiry and interdisciplinary experiences that transcend traditional academic and artistic disciplines.

The President will work with the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external constituents to envision an even more prosperous future for Purchase, building on the strengths of its unique academic and artistic offerings and identifying further opportunities for innovation. The President will oversee the continued development and implementation of a strategic plan to move the College forward and grow enrollment by: aligning and increasing the College’s many diverse academic programs and cultural assets; engaging a broad array of external constituents for the benefit of the campus community; promoting the institution’s reputation regionally and nationally; championing the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice; and strategically growing and deploying the College’s resources to ensure continued financial stability. A strategic thinker, the President will possess the ability to bring this shared vision of growth to life, mobilizing the campus and broader community, clearly and concisely communicating a path forward, and leading institutional advancement to develop the resources necessary to usher Purchase into its next era of excellence.

As the chief ambassador of the College, the President will strengthen partnerships and relationships with educational leaders in the SUNY system; political leaders at the federal, state, and local levels; nationally and internationally recognized artists and scholars; Purchase alumni; and industry leaders in New York City and the greater region for the benefit of the institution.

Contact Information

This is a full-time position that will be performed on site in New York. Salary is commensurate with experience with a generous benefits package.

Expressions of interest and nominations are being accepted and will continue until the position is filled. All nominations and applications shall be confidential. Application materials should include a letter of interest, a resume/CV, and the names and contact information for five professional references. Interested candidates can apply using the following Talent Profile link: https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/21789.

Confidential nominations or referrals should be directed to: PurchasePresident@storbecksearch.com.

Purchase College is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to service, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction. Employees, students, applicants, or other members of the Purchase community (including vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic. Purchase College complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination and harassment. These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as Amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, and the New York State Human Rights Law. These laws prohibit discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. Purchase College SUNY is an AA/EEO employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.