By Adam Studzinski
EUREKA – Eureka College’s president since 2005 has announced his retirement and the school’s Board of Trustees has found his interim replacement.
The school announced Tuesday morning current Vice President for Strategic and Diversity Initiatives Jamel Santa Cruze Bell will take over for President J. David Arnold beginning July 1, 2016.
“Today, I stand here preparing to continue Eureka College’s theme of intentional transformation as the first woman and Africa-American to lead this institution of transformative leaders, and I am deeply honored and humbled to do so,” Bell said.
Bell explained one of her goals will be to continue momentum in the area of retention and enrollment growth.
“And to focus on the successful implementation of our new strategic plan, entitled Intentional Transformation,” she said.
Eureka also announced Tuesday Arnold will be staying with the college as chancellor.
“I am here to, really, this institute we’ve been talking and dreaming about, to really put some meat on the bones of that institute,” said Arnold. “I’ll continue to work with donors and, of course, introduce Dr. Bell to our alumni and friends who have yet to meet her.”
Bell said because the school is currently working through a lengthy re-accreditation process, they wanted to maintain as much continuity as possible, which is why Eureka chose to name an interim president at this time. A national search for permanent president will take place in 2017.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
