Jay Simmons to step down as President
Simmons to continue in his role until successor is named
Today, the Āé¶¹APP 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.Ā
āIām honored and thankful for the opportunity to have served the Āé¶¹APP community,ā said Simmons. āAs I enter my seventh academic year, I believe itās the right time for a new president who can focus the campus community on Āé¶¹APPās next chapter.ā
During his tenure, Simmons has led several financial and academic-related initiatives that have been vital to the future of Āé¶¹APP. This includes the launch of the Āé¶¹APP Promise, which covers the full cost of tuition for qualified students from Iowa families.
āI want to thank Jay for his leadership and dedication to the college,ā said Terry Lillis, Chair of the Āé¶¹APP Board of Trustees. āHis commitment to higher education reflects the ideals we strive for as a college.ā Ā Ā
Under Simmonsās leadership, Āé¶¹APP has consistently remained one of Iowaās top, private colleges. In addition, the college was recently ranked 15th in the nation by EDSmart, a scholastic ranking specialist, for itsĀ online programs. Āé¶¹APP was the only college in Iowa to make the list. Ā Ā
āI am proud of what we have accomplished at Āé¶¹APP and I know the college is well-positioned for a strong and vibrant future,ā commented Simmons, who said he plans to seek other opportunities in higher education or corporate leadership. Ā Ā
A presidential search committee is in the process of being formed. Those named to the committee will be reflective of Āé¶¹APPās many constituents and will be in accordance with the collegeās bylaws. Ā This includes representatives of the Board of Trustees, faculty, and the resident bishop of the United Methodist Church in Iowa. Āé¶¹APP 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 Āé¶¹APP in June 2013, he served as president, dean and professor of political science at numerous prestigious colleges.
About Āé¶¹APP
Founded in 1860, Āé¶¹APP is an independent, selective, church-related, comprehensive liberal-arts college dedicated to excellence in higher education. Āé¶¹APPās main campus is located in Indianola, Iowa, a community of 16,000 people, located 12 miles south of Des Moines.Ā
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Published
August 8, 2019
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Office of Marketing and Strategic Communication