Welcome to the energy and excitement that is MidAmerica Nazarene University!
In late January Dr. David J. Spittal, president of MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU), announced his plans to retire after more than 12 years of service, effective June 30, 2025. Dr. Spittal assumed MNU’s presidency in February 2012 and has guided the university toward growth and God-honoring excellence.
His retirement marks the conclusion of a remarkable career dedicated to education, faith, and service.
If you would like to receive more detailed information, would like to nominate qualified individuals, or to apply for this opportunity, please contact FaithSearch Partners: Brian Jensen at bjensen@faithsearchpartners.com or Andrew Westmoreland at awestmoreland@faithsearchpartners.com. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.
MNU’s next president should embody the following leadership traits:
The university possesses a unique mission and culture inspired and guided by its spiritual foundation which is based in the Wesleyan Holiness tradition. The president must have a complete understanding of and passionate commitment to this tradition. He or she must be personally committed to Jesus Christ and strive to live as a disciple of Christ providing a model for others.
The president must restore a sense of confidence both in the university and among staff, students and faculty and lead the community confidently into the future. The essential skill of building strong and sincere interpersonal relationships will be critical to establishing trust and advancing new initiatives. The president will play a central role in supporting and sustaining a culture of shared values. This individual must be able to be the number one advocate for the inspiring and unique mission of the university.
The president must offer leadership that is both inspiring and inclusive. Trust and respect between individuals and departments must be nurtured following the prescription offered by the apostle John, “This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” (1John 3:11).
Perhaps no skill will be more important to the president than the ability to communicate fully and effectively with the institution’s external constituencies. The president must work actively and effectively to sustain and raise the visibility of and recognition for MNU on a local and regional level and within the Nazarene district within which it resides. The new president must be especially effective in working with the Nazarene churches. In addition, the president must seek ways that the university can forge relationships and partnerships that will further the mission of MidAmerica Nazarene University.
The next president must engage the current economic and academic challenges and collaboratively develop a sustainable strategic plan that will allow the University to continue to build retention and graduation rates, support the quality of faculty, sustain innovation and excellence in the curriculum, enhance campus facilities and to continue to be a beacon of light to the communities touched by the institution’s faculty, staff and students.
Raising funds to support MNU’s mission and programs will be essential to the success of the University and its next president, especially given a challenging economic environment. The president will be a key university fundraiser and development officer. The next president must lend his or her talents to the office of University Advancement to help continue to build momentum around garnering philanthropic support.
2030 E. College Way
Olathe, KS 66062-1899
913-782-3750 or 800-800-8887
