Inside the Presidential Search Process: Jay Lemons President of Academic Search

Welcome to Small College America, a podcast dedicated to exploring the role and value of small colleges in the higher education landscape. I'm Dean Hoke, and I’m joined by my co-host, Kent Barnds.  

Kent:  Joining us today is Dr. L. Jay Lemons, President of Academic Search since 2017, following 25 years as a college president in both public and private higher education. He previously served as President of Susquehanna University and as Chancellor of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, leading both institutions through significant periods of growth and institutional advancement.

A committed advocate for leadership development, Dr. Lemons works closely with new and aspiring presidents through programs with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the Council of Independent Colleges, and the American Academic Leadership Institute. His experience guiding institutions and mentoring senior leaders shapes his work at Academic Search, where he supports colleges and universities in identifying and developing effective leadership.

Jay is also the Podcast host of Leaders on Leadership, which you can find on Apple, Spotify, and many others. 

Interview Questions are projected 27-30 minutes. We expect to ask six questions. About 4-5 minutes per question

Question 1: From Presidency to Search Leadership

Dean: Jay, you spent 25 years as a college president before moving into executive search. What did you learn about the presidency only after you started helping boards hire presidents?
 
• What do presidents misunderstand about boards?

Question 2: The Changing Presidency

Kent: When you became president in the early 2000s, the job looked very different from what it does today. What has changed most dramatically?
 

Question 3: The Small College Reality Check

Dean: Small private colleges face enrollment volatility, tuition discount pressure, and demographic headwinds. When boards begin a search today, how honest are they about their institution’s financial and enrollment realities?
 

Question 4: What Boards Say They Want vs. What They Actually Need

Kent: In search profiles, boards often list many must-have traits. From your experience, what are the three that actually determine success at a small college?

Follow-ups:
• Are boards over-prioritizing charisma?
 

Question 5: The Candidate Pipeline

Dean: Where are tomorrow’s small-college presidents coming from?
 
• Are provosts still the dominant pathway, or are we seeing more CFOs, advancement leaders, or nontraditional candidates?

Question 6: Closing — Advice to Boards and Aspiring Presidents

Kent: If you could give one piece of advice to a small-college board beginning a presidential search tomorrow, what would it be?
 

Closing

Dean: Jay, thank you for helping us better understand not just how presidents are hired, but what it really takes to lead a small college in this moment. Your experience, both as a longtime president and now as a mentor to the next generation, gives our listeners a rare and trusted perspective.

For those listening or viewing, if you'd like to learn more about Small College America, go to our web page at www.smallcollegeamerica.net, where you can find details on upcoming episodes, contact us, and suggest topics you’d like us to cover. Also, I encourage you to subscribe to our series on your favorite podcast network,

This episode of Small College America is made possible with underwriting support from Edu Alliance Group — a higher education consulting firm that champions small colleges and the communities they serve.

On behalf of our guest, Dr. Jay Lemons, my co-host Kent Barnds, and I, thank you for joining us.