List of 14 items.

• What is the expected timeline for the search process?

  The target start date for a new Head of School for Harding Academy is July 1, 2026. While this may seem far away, this timeline gives us ample time to recruit and hire a strong leader and have a thorough transition plan in partnership with our Interim Head of School Consultant. Milestones include:

  
  

  Winter ‘25: ST Search conducts onsite visit, advertises position and builds candidate pool

  Spring ‘25: Search Committee narrows candidate pool; Search Committee and Advisory Committee interview semi-finalist candidates

  TBD: Finalist candidates visit campus while school is in session

  TBD: Search Committee proposes leading candidate to Board of Trustees

  TBD: Board votes and announces new Head of School to the Harding community

  TBD: Board, ST Search, and Interim Head of School Consultant lead onboarding and transition plan

  July 1, 2026: New Head of School officially begins 

• Who is leading the search process?

  The Board of Trustees is responsible for selecting and hiring the next Head of School. To ensure a thorough and effective process, the Board established a Search Committee, made up of Trustees, tasked with evaluating candidates and ultimately recommending an outstanding finalist to the full Board to vote on as the next Head of School. Within that committee, two Trustees were voted to co-chair the search: Ben Heavrin and Michelle Augusty. 

  
  

  To guide the school through this important process, the Board has engaged ST Search, a consulting group with a deep understanding of independent schools in our region, a record of success placing long-term leaders, and an exceptional reputation and network of candidates. The Search Committee has also created an Advisory Committee that will provide diverse perspectives of Harding’s key stakeholders to ensure the process reflects the values and needs of our school community.

• Who is on the Search Committee?

  The following trustees comprise the Head of School search committee: 

  • Michelle Augusty (co-chair)
  • Ben Heavrin (co-chair)
  • Merrie Alexander
  • Caldwell Collins
  • Conner Harris 
  • Uche Sampson 
  • Russell Riebeling 

• Who is on the Advisory Committee?

  The Advisory Committee represents key stakeholder groups and will be engaged throughout the recruitment process, sharing valuable input to the Search Committee that will help inform the Board’s final appointment. We are grateful to the following individuals, who were selected in collaboration with the Search Committee and school leadership, for serving in this capacity:
  
  

  • Bill DeLoache, former Trustee and President Emeritus
  • Melissa Frist, former Trustee
  • Megan Jacobs, President, Harding Parents Association
  • Jake Nemer, President, Harding Alumni Association
  • Tandy Perkins, Lower School Science Faculty
  • Jennifer Weinblatt, Middle School English Faculty 
  • Jordan Yates, School Counselor 

• What is the role of the Board of Trustees?

  The Board is responsible for hiring the next head of school. The full Board will meet the finalist candidates and, acting upon the recommendation of the Search Committee, appoint the next Head of School. In making its decision, the Board will ensure that the next Head of School is the best fit for us based on the school’s areas of focus, the Board’s strategic plan, and the community’s feedback. 

• What is the role of the Search Committee?

  The Search Committee’s role is to direct the search process. The Committee will coordinate input from the school’s key constituent groups and work with ST on creating the Position Profile. The Committee will work with ST on narrowing the candidate pool and interviewing semifinalists. Based on those interactions, the Committee then will narrow the field and organize finalist visits for the community. The Committee will propose its top candidate to the Board for selection as the new Head of School. Upon the Board’s approval, the Committee will help to facilitate the leadership transition. One of the primary responsibilities of the Search Committee is to keep the school community informed and engaged throughout the entire search process, while respecting the confidentiality of the candidate recruitment process. 

• What is the role of the Advisory Committee?

  The Search Committee created an Advisory Committee to ensure diverse perspectives and valuable input from key stakeholder groups are considered throughout the search process. While the final recommendation will be made by the Search Committee, the Advisory Committee’s input will be instrumental in identifying a leader who aligns with the school’s values, culture, and goals.

• What is the role of ST Search?

  The ST consultants will advise the Search Committee throughout the process, based on their years of experience in the industry. They will help create the Position Profile, which they will use to market the Head of School position. ST will interview candidates and check references before presenting a pool of candidates to the Search Committee. The consultants will help prepare the Search Committee and other groups for semi-finalist and finalist interviews and facilitate the flow of feedback between the candidates and the Committee. Finally, they will advise the school during the transition period.

• What is the Position Profile?

  The Position Profile is the document that will be used to market Harding Academy and the Head of School position. It will be created largely using the information obtained from the consultants’ visit to campus and community survey results. This profile will be disseminated nationally and internationally, through advertising media (such as educational leadership organizations) and the consultants’ networks.

• Will there be an opportunity to share input?

  Yes. All members of the Harding community will have an opportunity to share input via a survey that will be sent this winter. Additionally, representatives from key stakeholder groups will participate in focus groups to provide more insight and valuable perspectives. Both the survey and the focus groups will inform the Position Profile and recruitment process.

• What is the role of parents?

  Representatives of the parent community will participate in focus group sessions facilitated by our ST consultants, and parents will be asked to participate in a community-wide survey.  Additionally, parents are heavily represented on the Search Committee. Throughout the search process, parents are encouraged to share their thoughts and questions with the search committee via email at headsearch@hardingacademy.us.

• What is the role of faculty and staff?

  Faculty and staff will be actively engaged during the search. Faculty members will meet with the ST consultants in the winter and will be asked to participate in the online survey. Additionally, faculty and staff will be invited to meet the finalist candidates during their on-campus visits. They are also encouraged to share their thoughts and questions with the search committee via email.

• What is the role of students?

  Student representatives will be invited to meet with our ST consultants, to share their thoughts on what makes our school special and what qualities they would like to see in the next Head of School. Student insights will be sought again when the finalist candidates are on campus.

• What is the role of the Interim Head of School Consultant?

  The Interim Head of School Consultant will serve as a resource to the Co-chairs and Search Committee, assisting in organizing visits with key stakeholders and providing important information related to the school to inform the Position Profile. In addition, the Interim Head of School Consultant will be instrumental in the transition and onboarding of the new Head of School once selected.

  
  

  For additional information, contact Search Committee Co-Chairs, Michelle Augusty and Ben Heavrin, at headsearch@hardingacademy.us.