Saundra Tracy

Saundra Tracy has more than 30 years of experience in higher education – serving as a faculty member, Center Director, dean, vice president for academic affairs, and president in five different institutions.  She has taught, written and consulted in the areas of leadership selection, development, and performance assessment.  She has been involved with the hiring of numerous administrators at a variety of campuses, helping those campuses through the selection and transition process.  Recent consulting includes work with Yaffe & Company on presidential and senior leadership team goal setting, performance evaluation and leadership transitions.

Dr. Tracy retired from the presidency of Alma College in Michigan in 2010.  During her nine year tenure as president, the College grew its enrollment, successfully completed its largest comprehensive campaign, and built a number of new academic programs and collaborations such as the Center for Responsible Leadership.  She initiated the Alma Leadership Program to develop the leadership potential of faculty and staff in preparation for senior administrative roles.

Dr. Tracy has served on the boards of a number of non-profit and for profit organizations.  She currently is a Board member of McCormick Theological Seminary, and recently chaired that Board’s presidential search committee. Selected examples of other Board service include the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, Michigan Colleges Foundation, and Michigan Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Michigan ACE Women’s Leadership Network.  Among other activities, she chaired the regional United Way Campaign and initiated a local collaboration of non-profit CEOs.  

Dr. Tracy received a bachelor’s degree from Carroll University, a Masters from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Purdue University.