University Leadership
Presidential Search
Presidential Search
Thank you for your nominations.
The Presidential Search Committee has processed hundreds of nominations, reviewed and interviewed dozens of applicants and is now developing a list of semi-finalists.
Focused Day of Prayer
The Presidential Search Committee and the NNU Board of Trustees invite you to join us in praying for the entire presidential transition process on the 14th of each month. The 14th day of each month is significant because we will be electing NNU’s 14th president. Please join us!
Presidential Search Update
January 15, 2025
During the month of January, the Presidential Search Committee has been, and will continue, interviewing and engaging with semi-finalist candidates for consideration. Thank you for your continued prayers for the committee and for the candidates as they discern God’s leading.
Previous Presidential Search Updates
December 18, 2024
Throughout the month of December, FaithSearch Partners and our Presidential Search Committee continued the evaluation and interview process for the fourteenth president of Northwest Nazarene University. Their goal is to create a list of semi-finalists by the end of the month. Please continue to pray for God’s wisdom as they discern what is best for the future of our University. It is anticipated that a new president will be elected in March 2025 during the Spring meeting of the Board of Trustees.
In addition, the Northwest Nazarene University Board of Trustees, acting on the recommendation of the Honorary Degree Committee, recently voted to award President Joel Pearsall with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for his outstanding service to the University for more than two decades. In affirming this decision, Mike Zahare, NNU Board of Trustees Chairman said, “As a University, we have been so blessed to have had such a Godly, servant-leader. President Pearsall has made a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of NNU students and has led our faculty and staff with impeccable character and tireless devotion. We congratulate him on this tremendous honor.”
This degree will be conferred during NNU’s 2025 commencement ceremonies on May 3, 2025.
November 25, 2024
“We are genuinely impressed by the enthusiastic response to this presidential leadership opportunity. The caliber of candidates reflects both the admiration for what NNU is achieving and its strong commitment to Christian higher education. Over the past few weeks, our team has been directly engaged in conversation with numerous individuals from around the U.S. As we have continued to have conversations, we are now actively working with roughly 25 highly qualified men and women who bring a diversity of experience from within higher education and beyond. It’s inspiring to see such remarkable individuals eager to join NNU for this next chapter. We will continue having conversations with candidates as we move into more in-depth interviews, preparing to present semi-finalists to the search committee in December.”
June 5, 2024
In a letter to the Northwest Nazarene University Board of Trustees, President Joel K. Pearsall announced plans to retire in the summer of 2025. In a June 4 video call with the Board of Trustees, Chair Mike Zahare expressed gratitude to President Pearsall and his wife, Nikki, for their many years of service to the University.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is being planned to celebrate the many contributions Joel and Nikki have made to NNU?
There will be multiple times during the academic year to honor and celebrate Joel’s leadership and the ways he and Nikki have served the NNU community. The first public opportunity will be an Overtime-Party following the Men’s Basketball Game on Saturday evening, November 9, of Homecoming Weekend. Throughout the Spring Semester, a variety of events will take place for specific groups within the NNU community. Information will be shared with these groups as plans develop.
During each of our 2025 Commencement ceremonies, students, faculty, staff and guests will hear Joel’s final commencement address. This will be an ideal time for everyone to celebrate his service, honor his leadership and help launch him and Nikki into the next chapter of their lives and ministry.
When did President Pearsall announce his retirement?
President Pearsall’s plan to retire in the summer of 2025 was announced to the NNU Board of Trustees on Tuesday night, June 4, 2024.
Will a new president be found prior to President Pearsall’s departure?
Yes, the NNU Board of Trustees has appointed an initial Presidential Search Committee, consisting of the Board’s Executive Committee and NNU faculty and staff chairs. The Search Committee will be charged with conducting a national search to find a new president. President Pearsall will continue to serve as NNU’s president until his successor is in office.
What is the role of the NNU Board of Trustees in the selection process?
The NNU Board of Trustees has appointed a Presidential Search Committee to lead the search process. Members of that committee are the Board’s Executive Committee, NNU faculty and staff chairs, Foundation Board Chair, Alumni Board Chair and the SGA President. It is the responsibility of the full Board of Trustees to elect the next president.
What will happen between now and when a new president assumes office?
The Board of Trustees, with input from constituency groups, will develop a detailed leadership profile. Then, the Presidential Search Committee (the Board’s Executive Committee and NNU faculty and staff chairs) will conduct the work necessary to enable and prepare the Board to be able to elect NNU’s next president during the Board’s March 2025 meeting. This work, along with the creation of an overarching process and timeline will begin immediately.
President Pearsall will continue to lead the campus community in the 2024-2025 school year. The strategic plan will continue to guide the leadership team and campus community as they implement the priorities and accomplish the goals.
When will a new president assume office?
It is anticipated that a new president will assume office in the summer of 2025. A more precise date will be identified during the search process.
Who is FaithSearch Partners, and why were they chosen to assist with the search?
FaithSearch Partners was launched in 2007 with the desire to bring a biblical mission to the executive search industry. They work with organizations across the faith spectrum throughout the United States to assist them in searches for executive leadership.
FaithSearch Partners will serve as an advisor and resource for the Board and Presidential Search Committee. Using a search firm allows the University to expand the scope of its search by identifying and reaching out to potential candidates, conducting research and due diligence on candidates and assisting with advertising the position. NNU’s Board selected FaithSearch Partners for its proven expertise and success in identifying and recruiting executive-level leaders for Christian higher education.
To learn more about FaithSearch Partners, visit faithsearchpartners.com/about-fsp.
Do denominational (Church of the Nazarene) leaders participate in the selection process of a new president?
The NNU Board of Trustees is the official elector of the President of Northwest Nazarene University. The Board will seek feedback from a range of stakeholders that may include denominational leaders, in addition to the faculty and staff, alumni and donors, students and parents, but ultimately it will be the Board that elects the new president.