J. David Arnold, president of Eureka College

Chronicle Media

Eureka College will undergo some leadership changes in 2016, according to the Board of Trustee.

J. David Arnold, Ph.D., will be moving from president of the college to chancellor of the college effective July 1, 2016.  He has served as president since 2005.

Arnold will be replaced on an interim level by Jamel Santa Cruze Bell, Ph.D. who currently serves as the vice president for Strategic and Diversity Initiatives.

In his new role as chancellor, Arnold will continue to build on fundraising by devoting special attention to donor relationships and support for new strategic initiatives. This role will also allow Arnold to lay the groundwork for the college’s new leadership institute and to offer counsel to the interim president as the college embarks upon the implementation phases of a new three-year strategic plan, according to the college.

“We are pleased to appoint Dr. Arnold as chancellor, which frees him to expand the efforts of our amazing development team by establishing new external partnerships and exploring avenues for the types of support needed to fund strategic initiatives like the new liberal arts curriculum and the leadership institute,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Jim Hengst.

Under Arnold’s leadership, Eureka College has achieved record enrollments and fundraising, according to the college.  

The college’s endowment and assets have doubled in the past 10 years. Arnold oversaw the completion of nearly $30 million in campus improvements, including the construction of a new academic building and residence hall

Arnold said he is excited by his new role, calling it  “an exciting opportunity to strengthen the college’s external profile by continuing our outreach to potential donors, providing stewardship of current donors, and providing more support to the college’s new strategic initiatives, especially the emerging plans to develop a leadership institute.”

Jamel Santa Cruze Bell, vice president for Strategic and Diversity Initiatives of Eureka College

Bell, a St. Louis native with 16 years of experience in higher education,  joined Eureka College in 2014. She has been responsible for strategic planning, communications, diversity and inclusion efforts and Title IX compliance.

Bell will not only be the first woman to lead Eureka College, but also will be the first African American to serve as president in the college’s history.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to serve as interim president,” she said. “We have a strong leadership team and a dedicated base of faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and friends. I look forward to leading Eureka College in this interim role and continuing to work collaboratively with all college constituents as we provide our students with an intentionally transformative experience.”

Bell is a visible, prominent and highly-respected professional and community member, locally and nationally, according to the college. She is praised for being  a skilled communicator and scholar and is a respected trainer and consultant on current issues related to communication, leadership development, diversity and inclusion.  

She was called upon to serve in Ferguson, Mo. as part of a Ferguson Commission’s Citizen Law Working Group on community policing, racial profiling, use of force and mass demonstration.

“Dr. Bell’s understanding of the unique needs and challenges of diverse constituency groups and her inclusive leadership style will enable her to successfully serve as interim president and ensure the continued growth and vitality of Eureka College,” said Arnold.

Bell’s interim appointment will provide continuity and give the board time to do conduct a thorough national search for a new president, according to the college.

“We are equally thrilled to appoint Dr. Bell as the interim president, which gives the college a unique opportunity to experience a known and energetic campus leader who was instrumental in spearheading the college’s strategic planning efforts over the past year,” said Hengst.

A search committee will be formed in 2017 to find a permanent presidential appointment as soon as 2018. Members of the committee will be appointed by Hengst and will include trustees, faculty, staff, alumni and student representatives.

— Eureka College prepares for leadership changes —