The Search for the Next Leader of WPI

A national search for the 17th president of WPI is under way. (Former President Laurie Leshin left WPI in May to lead NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab.) Selecting a president is one of the most significant responsibilities of the Board of Trustees, and attracting the strongest possible candidates is the top priority. We remain committed to conducting an inclusive, consultative, and transparent process that seeks and incorporates feedback from the entire WPI community.

Presidential Leadership Profile

The position specification for the next president of WPI reflects the input of the Presidential Search Committee and more than 500 members of the WPI community who participated in various forums to share their ideas, concerns, and aspirations for the university and its next leader.

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Nominations & Inquiries

For questions or further information, contact:

presidentialsearch@wpi.edu

Search Committee

Appointed by the Board of Trustees, the members of the Presidential Search Committee have brought their diverse backgrounds and perspectives—and applied the input from the broader WPI community—to create a compelling case to inform and attract prospective candidates. With the assistance of WPI’s executive search partner, WittKieffer, the committee will lead and manage the search process and help identify, recruit, and recommend the strongest possible candidates for the position.

Meet the Search Committee    

Updates & Community Messages

SEE MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Presidential Search Update: A Strong and Diverse Candidate Pool
June 23, 2022
Trustees
Presidential Search Update: Position Specification Complete
May 10, 2022
Trustees
Presidential Search Update: Meet the Search Committee Members
April 06, 2022
Trustees
Presidential Search Update: Defining a Model Optimal for WPI
March 22, 2022
Trustees

News & Stories

SEE MORE NEWS
photo of campus walkway with blooming pink trees and students walking by the fountain
Presidential Search Process Reflects Voices Heard, Best Practices
March 22, 2022
WPI campus quad
WPI Community Engaged in Co-creating the Process and the Profile for its Next Leader
March 11, 2022
WPI President Laurie Leshin and Provost Wole Soboyejo
Provost Wole Soboyejo to be Interim WPI President
February 18, 2022

Community Engagement 

More than 500 members of the community have provided their input in the presidential search process since February. David LaPre '74, trustee and chair of the search committee, and Lauren Turner, senior vice president for talent & inclusion (T&I) and the T&I team have hosted sessions for all stakeholder groups—and a survey remains open, to get their input on:

  • aspirations for WPI--and inspirations for candidates
  • the greatest opportunities and the greatest challenges facing WPI
  • recommendations for the top agenda items for WPI’s next president
  • pride points in being affiliated with WPI

The Road Ahead

We anticipate a robust search over at least the next year. In the meantime, we are very fortunate to have a strong interim president in Provost and Senior Vice President Wole Soboyejo––a highly accomplished academic and administrative leader–-who will champion the many important initiatives underway at WPI and advocate for the university.

Regular updates on the progress of the search, as well as upcoming opportunities to provide input, will be shared with the WPI community via email and posted on this website.

 

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