The Marietta College Board of Trustees announces their unanimous appointment of Susan D. Stuebner, Ed.D., as the 21st President of Marietta College. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved Stuebner's appointment following an 8-month national search conducted by a Presidential Search Committee comprised of trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, and students. Dr. Stuebner will assume the duties of President on July 15, 2024.
Dr. Stuebner currently serves as the President at Colby-Sawyer College. An experienced leader with a diversified portfolio, Dr. Stuebner has served as president of the New Hampshire college since 2016. Previously she was the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Allegheny College and the vice president for administration and planning at Lycoming College. Her earlier work spans the important areas of student retention, admission, academic advising and student support at Dartmouth College and Wheelock College. She has also served as a teaching fellow at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
"In Dr. Stuebner we have found a President with extensive experience in higher education, strong planning and leadership skills, and a talent for transformative fundraising," said Mary Korn, chair of the Marietta College Board of Trustees. "As a transparent and collaborative decision maker, she brings a record of success in developing key partnerships to enhance the student experience and the prosperity of the institution. Dr. Stuebner is well suited to lead Marietta College at this important time in our history."
Commenting on her appointment, Dr. Stuebner said, "I am humbled to be selected as Marietta College's 21st president. I look forward to building on the meaningful work of Interim President Margaret Drugovich and partnering with all constituents to implement the institution's innovative strategic plan, Marietta Forward. I share the college's commitment to the liberal arts, experiential learning, leadership experiences, and diversity, equity and belonging as essential components in preparing students to grow and excel." She continued, "I am truly excited to work with the college community to sustain and enhance the institution's compelling mission and educational strengths. For nearly 200 years, Marietta has epitomized a pioneer spirit. What an honor it is to join the Marietta College community and work collectively to extend The Long Blue Line for generations to come."
Like Marietta College, Colby-Sawyer is a private, residential college that values the liberal arts. Stuebner is recognized for launching two strategic plans, doubling the college's endowment, establishing a strategic partnership with Dartmouth Health, and introducing 11 new graduate and professional programs.
"I know Sue Stuebner by reputation and through our shared experience in serving higher education," said Marietta Interim President Margaret L. Drugovich. "She is a results-oriented leader who is exceptionally well prepared to work with our students, our campus colleagues, our alumni, our supporters and the wonderful people of the City of Marietta. Importantly, Dr. Stuebner understands that a Marietta education is life-changing for students. I look forward to seeing the future take shape for this great college as it benefits from her catalytic leadership."
Dr. Stuebner serves higher education through her participation on well-recognized and influential professional organizations. She has served as a member of the National Collegiate Athletics Association Division III Presidents Advisory Group; as a Commissioner for the State of New Hampshire Commission on Higher Education; as a member of the Board of Directors of the Council of Independent Colleges; and as a member of the Executive Committee of Campus Compact of New Hampshire, among many other roles. She has chaired or served on accreditation visiting teams for the New England Commission of Higher Education and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Dr. Stuebner is a graduate of Dartmouth College where she majored in psychology and was captain of the women's basketball team. She earned an Ed.M. in Administration, Planning and Social Policy and an Ed.D. in Higher Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
A Presidential Search Committee, comprised of trustees and representatives of every college constituency, worked together to identify talented and well-prepared candidates. Trustees Rochelle "Rocky" Goodwin '96 and David Hill '84 co-chaired and guided the search committee. Today's announcement follows a national search that included 100 candidates including seated Presidents, past and interim Presidents, Deans, and Vice Presidents, as well as successful leaders from business and government. As such, the College was able to select its next president from a pool of experienced candidates with strong leadership credentials, academic experience, and deep operational and financial acumen.
Board Chair Korn recognized the interim leadership of President Drugovich by saying "Margaret has led the effort to address mission-critical challenges while engaging the college community to create Marietta Forward, our results-driven strategic plan," Korn says. "Emotionally intelligent, decisive and transparent, Margaret has exceeded all expectations." Drugovich will continue to lead the College until Dr. Stuebner takes office in July.