Incoming Lake Erie College president displays potential to be successful leader | News-Herald Editorial
A new chapter in the history of Lake Erie College is about to begin. That’s because a new president is about to be installed at the Painesville-based institution of higher learning. The Lake Erie College Board of Directors has hired Jennifer Schuller to be the institution’s next president, a role that she will begin on July 1.
“Under Schuller’s leadership as vice president for advancement, Lake Erie College has experienced significant growth in donor support, including record-breaking fundraising years and the launch of the Now and Forever Campaign, the most comprehensive fundraising campaign in the college’s history,” the release noted. It added that she “has brought in multiple million-dollar gifts” and utilized state grants during her tenure.
“She is deeply committed to our mission of providing a quality liberal arts education to our students,” said board President Stephen Perry in the news release. “She knows Lake Erie College well and has consistently demonstrated a keen ability to strategize and mobilize support to achieve organizational goals. We look forward to working with her to move Lake Erie College forward and secure a solid future for the college.”
Schuller said that as president, she intends to increase fundraising and enrollment to “continue to strengthen the college from a financial perspective.”
She noted that the college is also working on a new strategic plan. “That’s going to focus more really on our students, and providing the best undergraduate student experience to our students that prepares them for not only their life today, but careers that will probably change tenfold throughout their lives,” Schuller said.
“So, what does it mean to be not only a new student, but a good citizen of the world? “Many of the jobs that will exist even five years from now don’t exist today, so it’s important that we’re teaching them skills that will help them be adaptable and open and ready for all the things that life will hand them,” she added.
Schuller also noted that the college saw its “largest incoming class in 10 years” last school year, with the possibility of a larger class this year.
Schuller explained that she was first drawn to Lake Erie College because “there was a lot of opportunity to come and make a difference” in its fundraising efforts. She also expressed her appreciation for the local community.
She also expressed pride in the fact that she will be the institution’s first female president in nearly 75 years, noting that Lake Erie was founded as a women’s college.
When considering Schuller’s credentials, The News-Herald believes she has produced some impressive results as vice president for advancement at Lake Erie College. Schuller also is keenly aware of the importance of increasing fundraising and enrollment to help bolster Lake Erie College’s financial standing.
In summary, we believe that Schuller has the potential to be an excellent president for Lake Erie College. It’s our hope that she meets our expectations.