Jeremiah Shinn stands as the sole finalist in the running for the University of Montana presidency, a role that has attracted his interest due to the unique sense of community he perceives in Missoula. Known for his approachable and thoughtful demeanor, Shinn, who is currently the interim president at Boise State University, has engaged with various groups on the UM campus to share his vision.
“Certainly there’s a sense of community on a lot of campuses, but there’s a particular brand of it here,” Shinn expressed, emphasizing the supportive nature of the university environment. His discussions have spanned topics from the university’s value proposition to its research accomplishments. Shinn’s leadership philosophy is deeply influenced by his own experiences as a first-generation, low-income student, which he shared during the forums.
During his campus visit, Shinn addressed questions on various topics, including the protection of queer and transgender rights. He asserted that public universities should be inclusive and support all students, stating, “The conversation that I have with our legislators … is that we’re going to serve every single one of our students, and we don’t want there to be barriers to any student success.”
Shinn also reflected on a related law in Idaho, highlighting the need for creative strategies to support students. He shared personal anecdotes of his own educational challenges, such as navigating financial aid and administrative processes, which he believes are crucial areas that universities can improve to aid student success.
Out of a competitive pool exceeding 70 applicants, Shinn emerged as the leading candidate, partly due to his comprehensive experience in student affairs and his alignment with UM’s priorities. He also discussed the need for academic programs to remain viable and responsive to both student needs and external factors, amidst ongoing conversations about budget cuts at the university.
Shinn aims to foster transparency and engagement, even when disagreements arise with faculty. He emphasized, “I’m going to be here to talk about it. I’m going to engage.” He also pointed out that the majority of a student’s time is spent outside the classroom, highlighting the importance of designing supportive environments to ensure academic success.
Unique to this search process, Shinn is currently the only candidate introduced to the campus, a change attributed to the evolving dynamics of the hiring landscape, described by Commissioner Clayton Christian as a “buyer’s market in hiring.” While Shinn has already engaged with the Board of Regents, the search advisory group will gather feedback before making a final decision, with other candidates on standby if necessary.
Shinn’s academic background includes a doctorate from Eastern Michigan University, a master’s from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor’s from Arkansas Tech University, as detailed in his resume. His credentials and experience have been positively noted, though some faculty are keen to see a deeper connection to academia in his leadership style.
The search process, supported by consulting firm AGB Search, reflects the changing landscape of university leadership recruitment, with Shinn’s candidacy offering new potential for the University of Montana’s future direction.
