Presidential Search

Commitments from the Board of Trustees

With the announcement of President Brower’s retirement, the Board of Trustees is committed to conducting an exhaustive, national, and prayerful search for its next President of Point Loma Nazarene University. Commitments from the Board of Trustees include:

1. As members of the Church of the Nazarene, the Board of Trustees fully supports the Articles of Faith and the Covenants of Christian Character and Conduct of our denomination and will seek to elect a president who shares our commitment.
2. We will endeavor to understand and advance our Wesleyan-Holiness identity and heritage as we collaborate with faculty and staff at PLNU.
3. We will pray daily for students, faculty, staff, and administration, and for the decision and direction of the University.

Four Phases of the Search Process

The first of four presidential search phases to name the 15th president of PLNU began in early February. A 20-person search committee was established and is being chaired by Dr. Nell Sweeden, PLNU trustee and alumna. Supporting firm, FaithSearch Partners, conducted a large number of listening session meetings throughout February with key stakeholder groups to document expectations, needs, and other information that will play a pivotal role for the Presidential Search Committee.

The presidential search process will take place in four stages:

Phase 1 (February and early March): Assessment and inventory of ideal candidate traits and skills

FaithSearch Partners meets with all key stakeholders related to the position, including members of the Board of Directors, Presidential Search Committee, direct reports to the position, and other important constituents. The input from these meetings is synthesized into a comprehensive assessment report which is provided to the Presidential Search Committee. The report includes the ideal candidate profile and goals for the position, among other essential details.

Phase 2 (March to May): Research and sourcing conducted by FaithSearch Partners

Based on the approved candidate profile, prospects, referrals, and candidates are contacted. Those expressing interest are screened and evaluated against the ideal candidate profile. The conversations between FaithSearch Partners and candidates during this phase are confidential.

Phase 3 (May and early June): Candidate list evaluated, semi-finalists identified

FaithSearch presents a recommended slate of candidates to the Presidential Search Committee. Selected candidates are interviewed by the Presidential Search Committee.

Phase 4 (mid-June to July): Presidential Search Committee recommends final candidates

The search committee recommends finalists for the Board of Trustees to interview. After such interviews, the Board of Trustees elects the 15th President for Point Loma Nazarene University.

Potential candidates can receive a detailed Position Summary document by emailing FaithSearch Senior Vice President Courtney Fry at cfry@faithsearchpartners.com or Senior Vice President Dr. Andrew Westmoreland at awestmoreland@faithsearchpartners.com. Nominations can be emailed directly to Fry and Dr. Westmoreland and are encouraged by Friday, April 19.

Specific Prayer Focus

We invite you to join us in prayerful unity by setting aside five minutes to pray for the PLNU presidential search.

1. Pray that FaithSearch Partners has a clear picture of what is needed in the next PLNU president. (FaithSearch calls this a “mission fit.”)
2. Pray that God will begin a stirring toward PLNU in the heart of the individual who will be the next president.
3. Pray for Dr. Brower and Linda as they transition into retirement.
4. Praise God even now for how He will make clear what and who is needed to move PLNU forward to further the mission “to be a learning community where truth is pursued, grace is foundational, and holiness is a way of life.”

At the conclusion of President Brower’s 26th Annual Report to the Board of Trustees on November 16, Dr. Brower announced his intention to retire in the summer of 2024, after serving PLNU for more than two and a half decades as president.

Dr. Brower was elected the 14th president of Point Loma in October 1997. During his tenure, PLNU’s enrollment has more than doubled to 4,546 students and the university has expanded to five campus locations for undergraduate and graduate programs. With record enrollments and finances, the establishment of strategic and master campus plans, and the foundations for continued growth and development, President Brower indicated to the Trustees that, “This is the right and best time for PLNU to move forward with a transition in leadership to continue serving the educational needs of current and future students. With great confidence in and hope for the future of PLNU I believe the best days are ahead for the university.”

President Brower will continue his leadership at PLNU until a new president is elected and takes office later in the summer of 2024. The PLNU Board of Trustees, through its governance policies, will organize and implement the presidential search process to gather input, identify prospects, evaluate candidates, and elect a successor president.