Institutional Goals & FAQ’s

Institutional Goals

The President’s Cabinet has completed its analysis of both the SEE Plan and Strategic Plan. This evaluation helped the President’s Cabinet highlight key achievements and pinpoint areas requiring further development. Crucially, these insights are directly shaping the FY27 Operational and Financial Sustainability Plan, an initiative designed to stabilize college operations and finances while laying a strong foundation for Antioch College’s next President. The final FY27 plan will be published following review and feedback from internal and external partners, with a target completion date of October 11, 2026.

Q&A

Question: Who will serve as President after September 10, 2026?
Answer: Natalie Kubat, Executive Director of Advancement will serve as Acting Interim President, with the full support of the Board of Trustees. A core leadership team including Luisa Bieri, Dean of Cooperative, International, and Community-based Learning; Dean Snyder, Dean of Faculty and Principal Academic Officer; and James Goffe, Director of Business and Revenue, will assume additional administrative responsibilities that align with their roles to support the College during this transition period.

Question: Did President Jane Fernandes resign?
Answer: No, President Jane Fernandes is retiring effective September 10, 2026. The Board of Trustees voted to accept her retirement timeline. President Fernandes will remain at Antioch College in a limited role to ensure a seamless transition and undergo specific projects in the coming months.

Question: When will a new President be hired?
Answer: The Board of Trustees is conducting a nationwide search for the next President of Antioch College and intends to hire that person within the next 8-10 months.

Question: What will the search process for the next President of Antioch College look like?
Answer: The Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees is preparing a search process that will include broad stakeholder engagement. More to come.

Question: How will this transition impact reaccreditation?
Answer: The leadership transition will not have an impact on the College’s reaccreditation. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has issued us an updated timeline, which breaks down as follow: 1) An institutional report is due November 6, 2026 which will update the HLC on our enrollment management plan and finances; 2) Senior leaders will meet with the HLC’s Institutional Actions Council on December 7, 2026 in Chicago to review the institutional report; 3) The HLC’s Board will meet in late January to determine Antioch’s accreditation status; 4) Antioch will be informed of that determination shortly after the HLC Board meeting, which will include a public disclosure.

Question: What are the priorities for the College in the coming months?
Answer: The Leadership Transition Team is working on finalizing the operational plan for FY27; increasing communication to the campus, alumni, and the Village of Yellow Springs; evaluating existing strategic and business plans; reducing expenses and increasing revenue; planning for facilities investments; finalizing a search for a new Director of Enrollment Management and Marketing; and welcoming new students to campus.