Who Will Lead Us Now?: The Search For The Next President

By: Clare Buchanan

In the wake of Dr. Summer McGee’s departure, Salem College finds herself once again in a period of transition. Earlier this year on April 15, Salem College’s Board of Trustees announced that Dr. McGee would be departing from her role as President of Salem College to pursue a Presidential position at a private, Lutheran college in Hickory: Lenoir Rhine University. 

On July 1, Salem College named former employee, Dr. Gary Daynes, as interim president. Dr. Daynes has previously served Salem College as Chief Enrollment Officer and Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, as well as other past interim roles. According to the Board of Trustees, Dr. Daynes has a history of working with small colleges and brings a unique perspective to the table as the Salem community prepares for our next leader.

Photo Credit: Salem College website.

As Dr. Daynes serves his role as Interim President, the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller, along with Salem College’s Presidential Search Committee, will lead the search for Salem College’s 23rd president. According to the Salem College website, Isaacson, Miller was chosen because of their “strong track record of successful presidential searches in higher education.” The Presidential Search Committee is composed of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and trustees. 

On Aug. 21, 2025, a forum was held in the Club Dining Room, led by two representatives from Isaacson, Miller, to speak to and hear from students about what they would want to see in the next President of Salem College. Students came from both Salem College and Salem Academy to voice their opinions on this issue. 

The general tone during the meeting was one of frustration, concern, and also hope. Salem College students expressed their belief that Salem College needs a leader who will work to better the structure and foundation of our community; one who can simultaneously deal with the unique challenges that come with leading a historically all women’s college while upholding our sacred traditions. Several college students also voiced their concern for the withering of programs focused on the arts, the high transfer-out rate, as well as questions regarding the fate of the Health Leadership program. 

According to the Salem College website, Issacson, Miller and the Search Committee are searching for “an inspirational leader to forge our path forward as an Academy focused on STEAM and a liberal arts College with a distinctive focus on Health Leadership.” 

On Sept. 12, 2025,  the Board of Trustees Chair, Dr. John McConnell, and the Board of Trustees Vice Chair, Dr. Brandy Nelson, sent out an email to the broader Salem community giving an update on the Presidential Search. According to Dr. McConnell, the Board anticipates that the Search Committee will present their finalist recommendations at the April 16, 2026 Board meeting. Furthermore, Dr. McConnell also noted that he anticipates the Board will make their decision on who will be the next President of Salem College by July 1, 2026. 

As the Salem College community continues into yet another year of change, The Salemite will continue to cover the issue.