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 

ā€œI’m honored and thankful for the opportunity to have served the Āé¶¹APP community,ā€ said Simmons. ā€œAs I enter my seventh academic year, I believe it’s the right time for a new president who can focus the campus community on Āé¶¹APP’s 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.

ā€œI want to thank Jay for his leadership and dedication to the college,ā€ said Terry Lillis, Chair of the Āé¶¹APP Board of Trustees. ā€œHis commitment to higher education reflects the ideals we strive for as a college.ā€ Ā Ā 

Under Simmons’s leadership, Āé¶¹APP has consistently remained one of Iowa’s 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 

ā€œI 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¶¹APP’s many constituents and will be in accordance with the college’s 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¶¹APP’s 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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