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Salisbury University President to Step Down

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Salisbury University President Janet Dudley-Eshbach announced that she will be stepping next year at the end of June.

She said she would not be retiring but would take a one year sabbatical to prepare to return to the faculty to teach in the Spanish department.

Dudley-Eshbach said she would serve in a role of Special Advisor to the university to help her successor through the transition as well as doing some  fundraising work and special projects during her sabbatical.

She arrived at the university 18 years ago and has added numerous buildings to the campus.

They range from the Perdue School of Business to the new Academic Commons.

She said that the institution is well positioned to begin to look forward to the university’s 100th anniversary in 2025.

Announcement Letter

Dear Members of the Campus Community,

After considerable thought, I have decided to step down from the presidency of Salisbury University, effective June 30, 2018. In terms of the agenda we set forth in 2000, much has been accomplished.  Our faculty are outstanding, our admissions selective, our physical campus much improved.  We are an institution of values; Salisbury University students graduate with much more than a diploma and leave well prepared to be productive, engaged citizens. Looking ahead to the University’s upcoming major fund raising campaign, I have wanted to time my decision in a way that fits the internal needs of the University. 

Change is good, for institutions and individuals, and 18 years is a long tenure for any university president, especially in today’s world, given the increased complexities and demands of the position.  I will not be retiring, but looking forward to new opportunities.  Beginning July 1, 2018, I will be on a one-year sabbatical leave to prepare to return to the faculty.  In addition, in accordance with my agreement with the University System of Maryland Chancellor and Regents, I will be serving in the role of Special Advisor to the University, assisting my successor with transitional matters, supporting fundraising efforts and engaging in special projects, so long as these activities do not interfere with the primary purpose of my sabbatical, which is preparation to resume service as an active member of the faculty beginning the 2019-20 academic year.  I am greatly looking forward to returning to my first love—teaching, mentoring students, and scholarship.  I also hope to make more time for family, music, reading and other interests: I wish to be involved in community service activities, and would like to work with our region’s Spanish-speaking community, particularly those who may need help with English language skills.

On reflection, I am immensely grateful to everyone associated with the University.  We’ve accomplished so very much together, and my own successes would not have been possible without the support and dedication of thousands of staff, faculty, students, alumni, donors and members of SU’s many affiliated boards.  The institution is extremely well-positioned as we begin to look forward to Salisbury University’s 100th anniversary year in 2025.

To ensure a smooth transition, in the coming weeks Chancellor Caret will announce the search process, with the goal of the next president being on board July 1, 2018.   

To all my friends and colleagues:  I am immensely appreciative of your efforts and support as together we have accomplished, and continue to accomplish, so much on behalf of Salisbury University. I look forward to working with all of you in my final year as president.

Janet Dudley-Eshbach, Ph.D.

President

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.