Presidential Search

The College’s Next President

The search is underway to find the 19th president of Kalamazoo College to succeed President Jorge G. Gonzalez, who announced he will retire from the position on June 30, 2026.

Kalamazoo College is a recognized leader in liberal arts education, known for transforming curious minds into courageous changemakers. Since 1833, we’ve offered a personalized and student-centered experience on our tree-lined campus nestled in the heart of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Our commitment to academic rigor, experiential learning, intercultural understanding, and civic engagement sets us apart—and shapes the lives of the more than 1,300 students who call K home. With a proud legacy of innovation and impact, Kalamazoo College invites a visionary leader to join us in advancing a future that is both shaped by tradition and forward-thinking. This is more than a role—it’s an opportunity to lead a community where learning is lived, leadership is nurtured, and the liberal arts are a lifelong compass.

Presidential Profile

The Kalamazoo College Board of Trustees invites applications and nominations for the position of president.  A prospectus outlining the opportunities, challenges, qualifications and personal characteristics we see in our next president will be available soon. Nominations and inquiries may be sent to  KalamazooPresident@storbecksearch.com.

About K

Nationally renowned and globally oriented, Kalamazoo College is the home of the K-Plan, an individualized and integrated approach to the liberal arts and sciences. The K-Plan combines exceptional scholarship, study abroad, career development, civic engagement and independent research in a flexible curriculum that allows students to make the most of their unique interests and gifts. At K, we embrace our motto—“More in Four. More in a Lifetime.”—by offering students more opportunities to explore, more faculty and staff mentorship and support, and more preparation for meaningful careers that make a positive impact on the world.

1,335 students from 38 states and 35 countries

10:1 student to faculty ratio

One of 44 Colleges that Change Lives

Rated a Best College, Best Value College and Best Midwest by Princeton Review

Search Firm and Committee

The national search effort will be led by Board of Trustees Chair Jody Clark ’80 with the support of a search advisory committee comprised of trustees, faculty, staff, alumni and student representatives. Kalamazoo College has extended our partnership with DSG Storbeck, a leading academic executive search firm, to assist the search committee in its important work. Over the years, the Storbeck team was engaged in the searches that yielded our most recent president and several other senior leaders. The search will be led by Susan VanGilder, Managing Director and Steven Solnick, Global Managing Partner & Practice Leader, Education.

Presidential Search Process and Timeline 

April 2025: Search Announcement and Committee Selection

  • Announcement of presidential search and meetings about the search process. 
  • Search committee nominations received. 

May-June 2025: Developing the Presidential Profile

  • Search chair announces search committee selection. 
  • Mid-May – Consultants visit campus to meet with faculty, students, staff, administrators and trustees to learn about K and conduct listening sessions to inform presidential profile. An online survey will be sent to constituents to solicit broader feedback.  
  • First committee meeting. 
  • Early June – Committee finalizes position specification. 

Summer 2025: Finalizing Position and Seeking Candidates

  • Mid-June through Mid-September – Storbeck builds the candidate pool. 
  • Early August – Committee meets.  

Fall 2025: Applicant Review and Selection

  • Mid-September – 1st round interview selection. 
  • Early October – 1st round interviews. 
  • Early November – 2nd round interviews and finalist selection. 

Winter 2025-26: Selecting the 19th President

  • Finalists visit and the committee makes a recommendation. 
  • The Board of Trustees select the 19th president of Kalamazoo College. 
  • January – Announcement of new president. 

Summer 2026: Welcoming the New President

  • New president takes office in July 2026.

Search News and Updates

The Presidential Search Committee will provide periodic updates throughout the search process for K’s 19th president. News stories and email updates will be available here.