bing pixel
Augsburg University announces
the search for its 11th president.

Augsburg University’s Board of Regents invites candidates for the university’s next president, following President Paul C. Pribbenow’s announcement that he will retire at the end of the 2026–27 academic year. The new president is expected to take office in July 2027.

As a new kind of urban, student-centered university, Augsburg educates students to thrive in their lives—to be successful professionals, good neighbors, and stewards of an inclusive democracy, engaged in their communities and uniquely equipped to navigate the complex issues of our time. The successes and progress of long and stable presidencies, including two decades under Pribbenow’s transformative leadership, have created a solid foundation for the new president to lead the Augsburg community into its next chapter. The next president will be called to embrace Augsburg’s urban setting and Lutheran ethos of service to neighbor, building on the university’s 150-year legacy to extend Augsburg’s reach and influence in the next decade. 

Position Profile

The position profile outlines the desired qualities and characteristics of Augsburg’s next president.

 

View position profile

Apply

Academic Search is partnering with Augsburg University in the search process. Nominations and inquiries may be sent to AugsburgPresident@academicsearch.org. Applications should be submitted by September 13, 2026, for full consideration by the presidential search committee.

 

Submit an application

Timeline

March–June 2026: Pre-search preparation and search launch

June–September 2026: Candidate recruitment and application review

September 2026–Winter 2027: Interviews, due diligence, appointment announcement

July 2027: New president begins

Communications and News 

Search Committee

The Board of Regents has appointed a 15-member presidential search committee with representation from Augsburg’s student body, faculty, staff, board, and alumni.

  • Chair: Pahoua Yang Hoffman, Board of Regents
  • Babette Chatman ’06, University Pastor and Director of Campus Ministries
  • Kathleen Clark ’10 MAN, ’19 DNP, Professor of Nursing
  • Karim El-Hibri ’08, Board of Regents
  • Morris Goodwin, Jr., Board of Regents
  • Robert Gould, Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management
  • Diego Juarez ’28 MSW, Graduate Student
  • Ethelind Kaba, Board of Regents
  • Terrance Kwame-Ross, Associate Professor of Education and Martin Olav Sabo Endowed Chair in Public Service and Citizenship
  • Terry Lindstrom ’73, Board of Regents
  • Nancy Mueller ’85, Board of Regents
  • Tim Pippert, Joel S. Torstenson Endowed Professor of Sociology
  • Jill Thomas, Board of Regents
  • Brynn Watson ’89, Board of Regents
  • Aidan Wippich ’27, Undergraduate Student

Academic Search is providing support to the committee along with Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells, the executive director of the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities, and Leif Anderson, vice president for strategy.

SEARCH CONSULTANT

For five decades, Academic Search has offered executive search services to higher education institutions, associations, and related organizations. Academic Search was founded by higher education leaders on the principle that we provide the most value to partner institutions by combining best practices with our deep knowledge and experience. Their mission today is to enhance institutional capacity by providing outstanding executive recruitment services, executive coaching, and transition support, in partnership with their parent organization, the American Academic Leadership Institute.

Confidential discussions about the position are welcome and may be arranged by contacting a member of the Academic Search team: