An Exceptional Opportunity

Conrad Grebel University College is a unique community with a bright future that is facing exciting transitions. Being the next president will be an exceptional opportunity for a gifted and visionary leader to chart the College’s future.

Why is this an exceptional opportunity?

The next President will provide vision and leadership at an exciting and pivotal time in Grebel’s life.

• A significant number of senior faculty members — including the Academic Dean — will be retiring in the next several years, giving the new president together with the Board and faculty a once-in-a-generation opportunity to refocus Grebel’s faculty and academic program.
• As the current strategic plan is almost completely implemented, the new president will lead in setting the vision for the next strategic plan building on a recently developed academic plan.
• We are expecting a significant new building opportunity to expand our academic facilities, including the library and the Mennonite Archives of Ontario.

As a Mennonite college, Grebel has a unique context.

• We are a small college that is an integral part of the University of Waterloo — a publicly funded, world class university.
• Our students benefit from the full range of university courses, programs, and services.
• Grebel is a significant part of Waterloo’s Faculty of Arts and teaches over 3,000 students per year. We provide the music programs for the entire university, make strong contributions to the History and Religion departments, and our Peace and Conflict Studies program is one of the fastest growing majors on the Waterloo campus.
• Our accredited graduate Theological Studies program is a conjoint degree with Waterloo and has experienced significant growth and  financial support.  Work is underway to develop a Masters program in Peace and Conflict Studies.
• Our faculty members and administrators are a part of the larger campus community where they can forge many collaborative relationships. They have compensation packages on par with the rest of the university.
• The residence program is founded on the value of creating community which is accomplished in a variety of ways including chapel programs, student council activities, and justice initiatives such as refugee support and environmental concerns.  Because of this strong sense of community and of Waterloo’s year-round co-op program, our residence is at capacity in all three terms.
• Grebel is specifically referenced in the University of Waterloo’s ambitious “Sixth Decade” strategic plan.

The next president will build on a stellar reputation.

• We have strong supporters from a vibrant and diverse Mennonite community, many of whom visit the campus regularly for concerts, public lectures, and courses.
• Our budgets have been balanced or in surplus for the past 14 years, we have strong reserves, and our donors contribute almost $1 million per year for scholarships, endowments, and programs. This year’s operating budget is $6.1 million.
• Our twelve full-time faculty members compose and publish regularly, present at a variety of conferences, and are recognized as gifted teachers. The next president will inspire faculty members and empower a dedicated team of administrators and staff.

Grebel’s new president will join a unique and exciting community, and will have the opportunity to take the lead in shaping, articulating, and implementing a renewed vision at a crucial point in our history.

Full position description available here.

Presidential Search details

The Board of Governors of Conrad Grebel University College invites applications and/or nominations for the position of President, expected to be effective July 1, 2011.

Conrad Grebel University College is a liberal arts college founded by the Mennonite Church, affiliated with the University of Waterloo, and grounded by its Christian identity and Anabaptist/Mennonite heritage. 

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated ability for engaging various communities in fostering:

• the College values and mission–to seek wisdom, nurture faith,  and pursue justice and peace in service to church and society;
• its programs, which embrace undergraduate courses in Arts including the University of Waterloo Music and Peace & Conflict Studies programs, a graduate Theological Studies program, and an exceptional undergraduate residence and student life program. The resources of the College Library and Archives support these programs.

The College is committed to employment equity. Preference will be given to candidates who stand within the Anabaptist/Mennonite tradition and have earned a doctorate. 

All inquiries will be kept in strict confidence. Applications and resumes should be received by November 1, 2010 and be addressed to:

The Chair
Presidential Search Committee
Conrad Grebel University College
Waterloo, ON
N2L 3G6
Or sent by e-mail to: grebelsearch@uwaterloo.ca

Position Summary

The President is appointed by the Board of Governors. The initial appointment is for four years, and is renewable for one additional four-year term. The President is the chief executive officer of the college, responsible for all aspects of college programs and operations, including:

1. academic program, faculty, administration, staff, students and finances
2. residential program
3. relations with the University of Waterloo (UW) and other UW colleges
4. relations with the churches and executive boards of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (MCEC) and Mennonite Church Canada (MC Canada), and other organizations consistent with the mission of the college.

The President is the liaison between the board and the faculty, students and staff of the college, and the primary public face of the college, both internally and externally. The President shall endeavor to make the institution an authentic expression of its mission, and of the church in the academy, thereby serving both.

Full position description available here.

Search Committee Members

1. Debra Simpson, Board member and Chair
2. Fred Redekop, Board member
3. Susan Taves, Board member
4. Meg Bauman, Staff
5. Fred Martin, Administration and Recorder
6. Leonard Enns, Faculty
7. Byron Weber Becker, Advisor
8. Jessica Reesor-Rempel - Student
   

Other Information

Presidential Search Press Release
2009-10 Annual Report
Faculty Activities