Wofford College is currently under a critical transformative period. President Samhat, who has served as Wofford’s president for 13 years, has stepped down. The search to find the next president is underway.

Under Samhat’s leadership, the college has undergone tremendous growth and implemented initiatives that will continue student success for years to come. Some of these accomplishments include: two strategic visioning processes, a record $470 million fund-raising campaign and the construction of eight campus facilities including the RSRCA, the Greek Village and the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium.

A Presidential Search Advisory Committee has been established to choose the best possible candidate who will later be approved by the Board of Trustees. The Advisory Committee is composed of 12 members: eight Trustees, two professors, the Chaplain and one student– the Campus Union president.

Geneva Kowbeidu ‘26 is the student representative on the Committee. Dr. Natalie Spivey and Dr. Clayton Whisnant represent the faculty and Rev. Dr. Ron Robinson represents the staff. All other members have graduated from Wofford College since 1978.

The Committee has conducted significant background research into understanding the Wofford community and culture, what it needs from the new president and how to ensure the success of a new president at Wofford College.

In an interview conducted with Robinson, we have been provided with insight into the Committee, its goals, and a timeline for the search.

The Committee, partnered with AGB Search LLC, is tasked with soliciting input from stakeholders, developing the presidential profile and position criteria and recruiting and assessing candidates.

On Oct. 6, the external launch of the presidential search began. Prior to this, the Committee has hosted virtual learning sessions to discuss institutional strengths, strategic opportunities and key qualifications. In September, the search team developed a leadership profile that incorporated constituent feedback.

The preferred application deadline for candidates will be in December, with interviews occurring up until late February and early March. The Board of Trustees plans to announce the election of the 12th president of Wofford College prior to May 2026.

The Presidential Search Committee has worked extensively to ensure the success of the future president. The new president must fit within the Wofford community, understanding its relational and social culture.

Some of the needed attributes for Wofford’s 12th president include: “an unwavering commitment to academic freedom and the free expression of ideas”, “strong business and financial acumen and a record of effective fiscal management” and “a highly visible presence on campus.”

“[The Committee] wants the right person for the time…it’s 2025,” Robinson said.

Though the president must mesh with Wofford’s current culture, that doesn’t mean change must not occur. As times change, so do Wofford’s needs as a college. What this looks like, the Committee has worked to understand.

The Wofford community is to feel secure in the decisions made by the Presidential Search Committee.

The Committee is driven by care and love for young people.

The new president must seek to strengthen Wofford’s core values including: critical thinking, community and global engagement, diversity and inclusiveness and sustainability among others. Though Wofford has certainly improved in these dimensions, it still has a long way to go.

During divisive times on college campuses, students must be able to look to a leader who stands for what they believe in. We need a representative of the values of Wofford, one who will stick by them, even under scrutiny.

The students now turn to the Presidential Search Committee to guarantee this happens.