The Stark State College Board of Trustees seeks an innovative, future-focused and student-centered leader to serve as the College’s next president and help shape the future of workforce-responsive higher education in Northeast Ohio. This role is an opportunity to lead one of Ohio’s largest and most financially stable community colleges at a time of significant regional growth, workforce transformation and evolving educational demand.
Founded in 1960, Stark State College is a student-centered community college providing open access to high quality, affordable education aligned with workforce needs and university transfer. With campuses in Stark and Summit counties, the College serves nearly 13,000 students annually and is the fifth largest of 22 public two-year colleges in the University System of Ohio. Stark State offers more than 200 associate degree, bachelor’s degree, certificate and credential programs that prepare students for immediate employment, career advancement or continued education.
The ideal candidate will be student-centered, strategically agile and externally engaged, with the ability to lead confidently through rapid change and position Stark State as a model for innovation, workforce responsiveness and student success. An earned doctoral degree from a regionally accredited or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognized institution; and a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in a higher education institution, including demonstrated success in a senior-level administrator role, are required. Community or technical college leadership experience with demonstrated workforce development and employer engagement success is strongly preferred, and experience teaching in a higher education setting (or equivalent experience), reflecting an understanding of faculty roles and student-centered instruction, is preferred.
The full position profile can be found on the above. Additional information about Stark State College can be found at www.starkstate.edu
AGB Search is pleased to assist Stark State College with this Presidential Search.
To ensure full consideration, applications should be received by July 24, 2026. Application materials should be submitted in PDF format through the AGB Search portal at: President – Stark State College and must include the following:
Please direct nominations, confidential inquiries or any questions regarding the application process to StarkStatePres@agbsearch.com or one of the AGB Search consultants listed below.
Frederick V. Moore, J.D./M.B.A
Senior Executive Search Consultant
AGB Search
fred.moore@agbsearch.com
(712) 299-2544
Jeanne F. Jacobs, Ph.D.
Executive Search Consultant
AGB Search
jeanne.jacobs@agbsearch.com
(937) 470-9068
Stark State College is committed to equal opportunity for all and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, military status, pregnancy, disability, age, genetic information, or sexual orientation. The College also prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports discrimination or harassment, participates in an investigation, or exercises rights protected under applicable laws and College policies.