MTSU Initiated Search for New University President
Middle Tennessee State University has begun a search for a successor to retiring president Sidney McPhee.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in People
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Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro has officially launched a search for a new president to replace Sidney McPhee, who is retiring. The school, which serves approximately 21,000 students, is working with an executive search firm to find his successor.
Why it matters
The search process is critical for the institution, which employs about 2,250 people, as it prepares to fill a leadership role held for over 25 years. Finding a successor is the primary goal of the committee to ensure stability following McPhee's departure.
The university currently supports 21,000 students and employs 2,250 staff members. A 12-member committee of trustees, joined by Keith Huber, is managing the transition process.
The players
Sidney McPhee
Sidney McPhee has served as the president of Middle Tennessee State University for over 25 years and is now set to retire.
Keith Huber
Keith Huber is a member of the search committee currently tasked with finding the next university president.
Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm hired by the university to assist in the executive search process.
The details
The university has retained Korn Ferry to identify candidates and collect nominations. A search committee led by 12 trustees and Keith Huber recently completed 15 hours of listening sessions to gather community feedback.
Timeline
September 2026: The committee held 15 hours of constituency listening sessions.
October 15, 2026: The deadline for potential candidates to submit applications.
November 2026: The committee expects to select presidential finalists.
End of 2026: Sidney McPhee will retire as the university search concludes.
Market Landscape
This leadership change reflects a broader trend of administrative turnover within public higher education systems across the state. The move shifts institutional direction, positioning the university to compete for new talent against peer academic organizations.
The search for a new president impacts students and staff by setting the future administrative direction and potential policy changes for the campus. Residents and local stakeholders will have opportunities to engage with the final candidates during public forums.
The takeaway
Selecting a new leader after a quarter-century of consistent management is a significant moment for the campus community. Interested residents should monitor the university's public forums in November to engage with the final candidates for this role.
What happens next
The committee plans to select finalists in November 2026 for public forums and campus interviews.
Further reading
For more on university leadership, visit the Murfreesboro People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Tennessean.
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