The search for Hesston University's next president will begin with search committee members identified and approved by the Hesston University Board of Trustees. The 10-person committee consists of:
- Luanne (Yoder) '81 Southern, MSW; Hesston College Trustee, Committee Chair
Mr. Southern, a native of Yoder, Kansas, who has served on the Hesston College Board of Trustees since 2023, has national, state, and local experience in health and human services in the government, academic, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors. . - Roger Yoder '79, Heston College Trustee
Mr. Yoder, who has served on the Hesston College Board of Trustees since 2013, is a former American Airlines captain and co-owner of New Horizons Aviation in Goshen, Indiana. - Ken Rogers ’85, Massachusetts; Hesston College Faculty
A native of central Kansas and a member of Hesston College's music faculty since 1988, Rogers directs Hesston College's Global Voices and teaches classes in piano, organ, and music appreciation. - ben miller Hesston College Staff
Previously a three-year member of the facilities team, Miller returned last spring as director of campus facilities. A native of Kalona, Iowa, Miller and his family have called Hesston his home since 2017. - Jessica Clopton Robinson, MBA; Mennonite Education Agency (MEA) Member
Since joining College Hill Mennonite Church in Tampa, Florida in 2009, Clopton-Robinson has served on several local and broader boards and committees, including multiple past and current roles with MEA . - Jeff Gingerich '88, Ph.D. General members
Dr. Gingerich began his career as a faculty member at Bluffton (Ohio) University and has held multiple other progressive roles in higher education over the years. He currently serves as president of St. Bonaventure University, a Catholic university in Olean, New York. - Rev. Stanley W. Green, General members
For many years, Greene has served the Mennonite Church in various capacities nationally and internationally, including as a pastor and as president and executive director of the Mennonite Missionary Agency. He currently serves as Executive Conference Minister of the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference. - Pastor Kathy (Gering) Reed; General members
Since retiring in 2021 as executive director of the Family Abuse Center in Waco, Texas, Reed is currently serving as interim executive director for the Waco-area nonprofit. In addition to her long history of service within her church, she has also received training in child protection and domestic violence issues. - Yvonne Seaver ’71, MBA; General members
Mr. Seaver previously served as the university's vice president for advancement and a member of its board of directors. She continues to give back to the Hesston community and Mennonite Church through her service on various boards and committees. - Pastor Grace Tijerina ’16; General members
Tijerina currently helps preach at Buenas Nuevas Iglesia Menonita in San Juan, Texas. She served on the Board of Trustees of Hesston College and currently serves as the Coordinator for Hispanic Women on the Mennonite Central Committee Board of Directors.
The search committee will work with Academic Search to conduct a comprehensive and wide-ranging search for Hesston College's next president. Academic Search specializes in executive recruitment for higher education.
The Hesston College Board of Trustees has accepted the resignation of former President Joseph A. Manickam, effective December 31, 2023. Dr. Ross Peterson-Veach, then vice president for academic affairs, was appointed interim president.
