The Presidential Search

17^th March 2025, 10:00 a.m.

Announcement of the Next President of University of The Bahamas Mrs. Allyson Maynard Gibson, KC, Chair, Board of Trustees

It is my honour to advise that the Board of Trustees has selected the next President of University of The Bahamas (UB). Our decision follows an extensive and inclusive national and international search process guided by the Presidential Profile, that was crafted with input from the Board, the university community, and a wide range of stakeholders.

The appointment of UB’s fourth President, marking the 13^th presidency of our institution, represents a pivotal moment in our journey of bold transformation. This journey includes national and international affirmation that UB meets the highest standards of excellence. Since its inception as The College of The Bahamas, this institution has helped to develop hundreds of leaders in every arena, and has been a beacon of hope and aspiration. This Board has prioritised accreditation and continuous improvement, standing ready for new frontiers in higher education and national development.

The presidential search process began in June 2024 with the appointment of the Presidential Search Committee (PSC), comprised of representatives from UB and the broader community. With the support of executive search firm, AGB Search, the Committee developed a comprehensive statement of qualifications for the new President, established a timeline, and conducted a global search for the most highly qualified candidates.

Committee members were:

• Myself, Board Chair
• Mr. Gadville McDonald, Board Vice Chair
• Ms. Debi Williams, Board Trustee,
• Mr. Henry St. George, Board Trustee,
• Mrs. Jazmine Romer-Rolle, Alumni Representative,
• Dr. Marie Sairsingh, Academic Senate Representative, Senator,
• Ms. Chante Deal, Student Representative, President Student Government Association,
• Mr. Timothy Ingraham, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation Representative, and
• Mr Gowon Bowe, National Development Plan Secretariat Representative.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Committee members, the Presidential Search Secretariat, and AGB Search for their exceptional service and dedication. The Committee’s hard work and the insights from our stakeholders – faculty, staff, students, administrators, alumni, the business community, civil society, unions and the public – were integral to the process.

The presidential search attracted over 90 candidates who responded to the Presidential Profile. Following careful review and multiple rounds of assessment, the pool of applicants was eventually narrowed to three finalists. Each finalist met and engaged with our university constituents, who not only questioned them extensively, but submitted their feedback on suitability for the leadership role. Today, we are pleased to announce that the new President of UB, effective 1^st July 2025, is Dr. Robert Blaine, III. Dr. Blaine currently serves as the Senior Executive and Director of the Center for Leadership, Education, Advancement, and Development and the Center for Municipal Practice, National League of Cities, based in Washington D.C.

The Board of Trustees selected Dr. Blaine based on his vision and expertise, paired with his commitment to transformative education, which aligns with the university’s mission and strategic priorities. He brings a wealth of experience in implementing sustainable quality enhancement initiatives and leading through complex regulatory landscapes. In advancing academic excellence, he has been the driving force behind initiatives that expand access to quality education, fuel economic vibrancy, and forge meaningful partnerships with local and global communities. These are all important areas of growth and opportunity for UB. His leadership in securing funding, building philanthropic relationships and guiding public campaigns demonstrates a keen understanding of the strategies necessary for growth and mobilisation of talent to achieve an overarching mission. Dr. Blaine’s work in curriculum redesign and digital learning underscores a forward-thinking approach to higher education with enduring impact. You can read more about Dr. Blaine’s expertise in his CV on the Presidential Search page on the UB website.

As outlined in the Presidential Search Profile, the key considerations in the Board’s selection of Dr. Blaine included:

• Expertise to aggressively lead the attainment of national and international accreditation, and drive continuous improvement throughout UB,
• Commitment to expanding educational access, enhancing research performance, and nurturing Bahamian talent.
• Capacity to elevate the University’s active participation in national development through expanded academic programmes, policy development and public engagement,
• A clear strategy to manage the University’s rapid growth, unify faculty, staff and students and achieve strategic goals, and
• Leadership to increase enrolment at UB North in Grand Bahama and strengthen its academic and research programmes.

Dr. Blaine will work closely with Acting President, Janyne Hodder, to ensure a smooth and seamless leadership transition—one that provides continuity as the university advances its mission. To further support him, the Board is establishing a Presidential Transition Committee, to serve in an advisory capacity, comprised of members of the Board, University constituents, representatives of UTEB, the PMU and BPSU, and leading industry and community representatives. Their broad range of expertise will be helpful in Dr. Blaine’s successful transition.

As we welcome this new chapter, we are deeply grateful for the contributions of Acting President Janyne Hodder and her team. Her leadership, passion and strategic focus – especially in advancing our accreditation efforts – continue to be an important pillar of UB’s evolution. Her dedication, from the inception of COB, has laid a firm foundation for continued growth and excellence.

University of The Bahamas belongs to all of us and it will take all of us to achieve our shared vision of sustained nation-building. Together, with God’s help, all hands on deck and shoulders to the wheel, we will continue to transform lives, strengthen our nation, and develop the next generation of leaders.

Thank you.

8th January 2025

Announcement of Finalists for the Position of President

As University of The Bahamas (UB) continues its remarkable growth in its 50th Jubilee era, the Board of Trustees (BOT) is pleased to announce a crucial milestone in the search for the next President of UB.

After an extensive national and international recruitment phase – one that was marked by robust outreach and a rigorous evaluation of candidates – three finalists have emerged for this transformative leadership position. They are:

• Maria E. Woodside-Oriakhi, PhD. A UB alumna, Dr. Woodside-Oriakhi has over 25 years of experience in academia, with expertise in advancing quality imperatives, fostering global partnerships and overseeing academic preparation for SACSCOC accreditation.
• Robert J. Blaine, III, PhD. Dr. Blaine has extensive leadership experience in academia, including SACSCOC accreditation and fundraising. He presently serves as Senior Executive & Director of the Centre for LEAD and the Centre for Municipal Practice, National League of Cities, where he played a pivotal role in strategic planning and economic development.
• Leroy Hamilton, Jr., EdD. With over 30 years of combined progressive experience in higher education, Dr. Hamilton has successfully navigated community college and university environments, including serving as a SACSCOC accreditation liaison and securing significant grant funding.

The selection of these finalists represents months of dedicated effort by the nine-member Presidential Search Committee (PSC), supported by AGB Search, a renowned executive search consulting firm. The PSC has thoroughly evaluated over 90 candidates who responded to the Presidential Profile outlining the strategic vision for the university as well as the expectations, priorities and opportunities for leadership.

The next exciting phase of the search process will involve each of the finalists visiting UB’s Oakes Field Campus, on separate occasions, to engage directly with key stakeholders

including students, faculty, staff, donors, alumni, and representatives from the wider community and business sectors. Each finalist will also meet with the Minister of Education and Technical & Vocational Training and her team. Stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide invaluable feedback to inform the Board of Trustees’ final decision. The Curriculum Vitae of the candidates and details on opportunities for stakeholder engagement will be announced shortly and will be posted to the Presidential Search website.

UB, as the national tertiary institution, is an important catalyst for national development. The president plays a vital role in steering the University’s transformative agenda and assuring that UB and its graduates meet national demands while preparing students for their role in rapidly changing global society.

Office of University Relations
University of The Bahamas
2nd Floor, Michael H. Eldon Complex Oakes Field Campus
Nassau, The Bahamas

Chartered on 10th November 2016, University of The Bahamas (UB) is a beacon for national transformation. Approximately 5,000 students are enrolled in the University of The Bahamas system which includes campuses and centres on New Providence, Grand Bahama, and San Salvador, as well as UB online education. UB’s diverse academic programmes, research engagements, athletics and leadership development experiences equip our students to become global citizens in a dynamic world. For more information, visit www.ub.edu.bs.

28^th October, 2024

The Presidential Search Committee (PSC) for University of The Bahamas wishes to report that the search for the next president of the university is proceeding as scheduled.

The time period for receiving nominations and applications concluded as planned on 19 September 2024.  The search revealed a robust field of candidates.  Since that time, the PSC has reviewed all applicants and has begun to narrow the field of qualified applicants for further review through selected interviews, background assessments, and document review.

The PSC anticipates recommending qualified applicants to the Board of Trustees in the near-term future.

Office of University Relations
University of The Bahamas
2^nd Floor, Michael H. Eldon Complex
Oakes Field Campus, University Drive, Nassau, The Bahamas
Phone: 242.302.4454/242.302.4365
universityrelations@ub.edu.bs | www.ub.edu.bs

50 years, the institution has cultivated a rich tapestry of academic diversity, impactful research engagements, and transformative collaborations. UB has in excess of 22,000 alumni, more than 4,000 students, with locations in New Providence, Grand Bahama and San Salvador. Our students are shaped as not merely scholars, but as dynamic global citizens able to navigate the challenges of a global society.

 28th July 2024 

Dear Friends of UB, 

Today we celebrate the official launch of the Presidential Search at UB. 

The members of the Presidential Search Committee are pleased to share with you, our much-valued internal and external stakeholders, friends and sponsors of the University, the publication of the Presidential Profile, termed “The Presidential Opportunity at UB“. 

Your personal contributions and inputs to this unique publication have inspired the production of what we believe to be the Presidential Profile of our future leadership at University of The Bahamas. It is posted on the University’s website and is being used to cast the widest possible net in order to secure qualified and interested applicants for the post. 

Please feel free to share the Presidential Profile with anyone who might have an interest in making application. 

Thank you for your continued commitment to UB as the national university of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas! 

Best regards, 

University of The Bahamas Presidential Search Committee 

 1st July 2024 

SURVEY PERIOD CONCLUDED

UB Stakeholder – Online Survey re: Presidential Candidate Search 

Dear UB Stakeholder, 

University of The Bahamas (UB) is currently seeking your input on factors to consider in the search for its next president. This online survey provides an opportunity for you to express what you specifically would like to see in a candidate and the general direction of UB. Your insights and preferences are crucial to shaping the future of UB. 

We invite you to participate in this online survey on an anonymous, confidential basis. Public Domain Research & Strategy, an independent, national market research firm, is administering the online survey. It will take approximately 5 minutes to complete the survey, depending on your responses. 

Your participation is completely voluntary. To provide your feedback to the survey, you simply need to: 

• Click on the following link: https://us1se.voxco.com/SE/st=1nEnh5PnMSBPfY4GuW%2BDiP4EI%2F0MsdAGoBUzrYKhpvI%3D 

• Click here to access the survey on the UB website, or 

• Visit www.ub.edu.bs and click on “Presidential Search Survey” on the home page of the website. 

We want to assure you that your responses will remain confidential and will not be linked to you. The survey results will be presented in aggregate form only. The survey will remain open until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, 4th July 2024. If you should experience any difficulties in completing the survey, please feel free to contact The Presidential Search Committee at pressearch@ub.edu.bs or Public Domain by email at mwale@ourpublicdomain.com. 

Thank you for your time and feedback – we greatly appreciate it! 

R. M. Nottage
Secretary
University of The Bahamas Presidential Search Committee 

Office of University Relations
University of The Bahamas
2nd Floor, Michael H. Eldon Complex
Oakes Field Campus, University Drive, Nassau, The Bahamas
Phone: 242.302.4454/242.302.4365
universityrelations@ub.edu.bs | www.ub.edu.bs 

 BOARD OF TRUSTEES STATEMENT 

21st June 2024 

Establishment of the Presidential Search Committee for the Next President of University of The Bahamas 

The Board of Trustees (BOT) of University of The Bahamas (UB) announced today the establishment of the Presidential Search Committee (PSC), which will oversee the rigorous and comprehensive search for UB’s next president. The executive search firm, AGB Search, is supporting this process. As President (Acting) Janyne Hodder’s tenure concludes in June 2025, the Board’s objective is to ensure a seamless transition in leadership, beginning with a national and international search. The PSC, comprising ten (10) members, includes representatives from UB, key stakeholders, and the broader public, all of whom recognise UB’s crucial role in national development and helping to lead the transformation of our nation. This diverse composition of the PSC ensures broad perspectives are considered for a thorough and inclusive selection process. Feedback from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the public will be integral to this effort. The members of the PSC are:

1. Mrs. Allyson Maynard-Gibson KC, Board Chair;
2. Mr. Gadville McDonald, Board Vice Chair;
3. Mrs. Debi Williams, Trustee;
4. Mr. Henry St. George, Trustee;
5. Mrs. Jazmine Romer-Rolle, Alumni Representative, President, Alumni Association;
6. Dr. Marie Sairsingh, Academic Senate Representative, Senator;
7. Ms. Chante Deal, Student Representative, President, Student Government Association;
8. Mr. Timothy Ingraham, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation Representative;
9. Mr. Gowon Bowe, National Development Plan Secretariat Representative;
10. A person nominated by the Inter-American Development Bank to serve as the micro-credentialing sector representative.

Mrs. Maynard-Gibson and Mr. McDonald will serve as Co-Chairs of the PSC.

The PSC’s terms of reference are to develop a statement of desired qualifications for the new President to guide the search and selection, adopt a timeline for the process and conduct an expansive national and international search with the assistance of AGB Search to attract highly qualified candidates. To this end, a Presidential Profile document will be developed to provide potential candidates with essential information about UB’s trajectory and details of the search process. This document will be a crucial tool in recruiting prospective candidates. Listening sessions will also be held with members of the UB community and the wider public on a national level, including Grand Bahama and the Family Islands, to garner their insights and feedback. 

The PSC is also charged with selecting a pool of preferred candidates for interviews as semi-finalists and thereafter selecting finalists for interviews. Upon the completion of the interview phase, each finalist will be invited to visit the Oakes Field Campus to meet with the PSC and participate in open forums and other events with stakeholders. The Board of Trustees will select the next President. Comprehensive information on the search process, timelines, and opportunities for engagement and feedback will be disseminated across all university channels and through media outlets. A dedicated landing page on UB’s website will be launched, and a specific email address, pressearch@ub.edu.bs, has been established for submitting feedback. In UB’s new and promising era of growth and development, our focus remains on quality improvement and establishing new standards of excellence throughout the institution which fuel our noble mission of supporting and driving national development. Impeccable leadership is crucial to this sustained progress. 

Office of University Relations
University of The Bahamas
2nd Floor, Michael H. Eldon Complex
Oakes Field Campus
P.O. Box N-4912
Nassau, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 302-4355/4354/4365 

 13th May, 2024 

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES: THE PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH 

Dear members of the university community, 

With the current acting appointment of President Janyne Hodder scheduled to conclude in June 2025, the Board of Trustees (BOT) will ensure a rigorous and transparent process in selecting the next president of University of The Bahamas. 

We are pleased to advise that the BOT is in the process of establishing a Presidential Search Committee, comprised of representatives from within our university community and the broader public. This inclusive approach ensures a range of perspectives and expertise will contribute to the selection process. Additionally, a presidential search consulting firm will also be engaged. 

Throughout this process, the Board will provide regular updates and create opportunities for engagement and feedback from stakeholders. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each member of our university community for your unwavering support and commitment to our shared mission. 

Office of University Relations 

University of The Bahamas
2nd Floor, Michael H. Eldon Complex
Oakes Field Campus, University Drive, Nassau, The Bahamas
Phone: 242.302.4454/242.302.4365
universityrelations@ub.edu.bs | www.ub.edu.bs

Dr. Leroy Hamilton, Jr.
MEETINGS WITH STAKEHOLDERS

Thursday 30^th January
All UB Internal Stakeholders (Faculty, Students, Staff, Administration)
Time: 9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
Venue: Harry C. Moore Library, Auditorium (ground floor)

Faculty
Time: 10:20 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
Venue: Harry C. Moore Library, Auditorium (ground floor)

Administration
Time: 12:00 p.m.-12:45 p.m.
Venue: Harry C. Moore Library, Auditorium (ground floor)

Staff
Time: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Venue: Harry C. Moore Library, Auditorium (ground floor)

Students
Time: 2:15 p.m.-3:45 p.m.
Venue: Student Union Building (first floor)

All External Stakeholders (Alumni, Donors, Business Community, NGOs, Public)
Time: 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Venue: Harry C. Moore Library, Auditorium (ground floor)

Dr. Robert J. Blaine, III
MEETINGS WITH STAKEHOLDERS
Thursday 23^rd January 2025

All UB Internal Stakeholders (Faculty, Students, Staff, Administration)
Time: 9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
Venue: Harry C. Moore Library, Auditorium (ground floor)

Faculty
Time: 10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
Venue: Harry C. Moore Library, Auditorium (ground floor)

Administration
Time: 12:00 p.m.-12:45 p.m.
Venue: Harry C. Moore Library, Auditorium (ground floor)

Staff
Time: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Venue: Harry C. Moore Library, Auditorium (ground floor)

Students
Time: 2:15 p.m.-3:45 p.m.
Venue: Student Union Building (first floor)

All External Stakeholders (Alumni, Donors, Business Community, NGOs, Public)
Will be streamed via Facebook live on the UB page. To join via ZOOM, click here: https://univbah.zoom.us/j/99643716427
Time: 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Venue: Harry C. Moore Library, Auditorium (ground floor)

Dr. Maria Woodside Oriakhi
MEETINGS WITH STAKEHOLDERS
Thursday 16^th January 2025

All UB Internal Stakeholders (Faculty, Students, Staff, Administration)
Time: 9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
Venue: Harry C. Moore Library, Auditorium (ground floor)

Faculty
Time: 10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
Venue: Harry C. Moore Library, Auditorium (ground floor)

Administration
Time: 12:00 p.m.-12:45 p.m.
Venue: Harry C. Moore Library, Auditorium (ground floor)

Staff
Time: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Venue: Harry C. Moore Library, Auditorium (ground floor)

Students
Time: 2:15 p.m.-3:45 p.m.
Venue: Independence Cafeteria, Patio

All External Stakeholders (Alumni, Donors, Business Community, NGOs, Public)
Time: 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Venue: Harry C. Moore Library, Auditorium (ground floor)