What Do Faculty Need? Multiple Voices Respond | Jim Wickenden | 10 Min Read

November 10, 2022

Although I have worked in three different institutions of higher education, been on the Board of Trustees of nine different independent schools, and provided consulting services to over 300 independent schools, I readily admit that I have not been a faculty member of an independent school.  As a result, when asked to write an article entitled “What Do Faculty Need?” I took a six-step approach to the process. Specifically, I first addressed this issue with Arnold Holtberg, the former Head of St. Mark’s School in Dallas, TX.  After hearing what Arnold had to say, I then arranged to have an appointment with Dr. Stanley Katz, a former professor of History at Princeton University, the President Emeritus of the American Council of Learned Societies, and the recipient of an award from President Obama for the work he did in the humanities.  Next, I contacted Dr. James Crisfield, the Superintendent of the Wissahickon Schools District in Pennsylvania. Fourth, I reached out to Linda O’Malley who has worked as a librarian in independent schools for over 20 years.  Fifth I benefited from reading a monthly newsletter published by the Greenwich Leadership Partners in Greenwich, CT. The sixth and final…

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Jim Wickenden

Jim is a Principal at DRG and Founder of Wickenden Associates, an affiliate of DRG. Having been the CEO of one of the premier education executive search firms in the United States, Jim brings unparalleled experience and networks to best serve clients. With over 30 years of experience identifying and guiding Heads of Schools and other senior administrators of schools across the country, Jim approaches each search with flexibility and openness that responds to the individual needs and concerns of schools and their leaders. Before founding Wickenden Associates, Jim served as the Dean of Admissions at Princeton University and Director of Student and Alumni Affairs at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. A graduate of Tabor Academy and Princeton University, Jim holds a master’s degree in Counselor Education from Rutgers University, a master’s degree in the General Purposes of Education from Harvard University, and a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Boston University. As a former member of eight boards of independent schools with a wide range of missions and resource levels, Jim also knows firsthand the responsibilities shouldered by today’s trustees; and knows how to guide boards through tough transition processes and on good governance practices. Jim lives in Princeton, NJ, and when he is not at the office he enjoys reading enlightening books.