Caroline Whitson
Senior Consultant
Caroline.Whitson@academicsearch.org
Dr. Caroline Whitson’s admiration for academia is unmistakable, and she has dedicated her career to helping students improve their lives through higher education. Since becoming an Academic Search Senior Consultant in 2012, Dr. Whitson has played pivotal roles in recruiting and hiring excellent candidates for presidents, vice presidents, provosts, and deans across the country. By helping place these exceptional hires that strengthen administrations, Dr. Whitson can continue her lifelong mission and reaffirm her commitment to higher education.
Dr. Whitson is President Emerita of Columbia College, a private liberal arts college located in South Carolina’s capital. For 11 years as President, Dr. Whitson inspired students, which at the time was an all-female population, with her energizing leadership approach, genuine interest in each person’s goals, and commitment to creating opportunities for women. Each fall, she’d host first-year students at her home for dinner in an effort to create an atmosphere of familiarity on campus. Since her retirement in 2012, Dr. Whitson has stayed in contact with many former students and continues to support their ambitions.
Before moving into a presidential role, Dr. Whitson held several administrative positions at the University of the Ozarks in Arkansas. She was Director of Public Information, Professor of English and Communications, Chair of the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts, and Vice President for Institutional Advancement. In her final years at U of O, Dr. Whitson was Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost. Serving in these various roles gave her in-depth insight regarding the issues an administration may face, particularly at four-year liberal arts colleges.
Although she acquired her personal experience at small private schools, Dr. Whitson can apply her expertise in searches at institutions of any size in any location. She has a sharp eye for recognizing potential, and she immerses herself in a school’s culture to gain a detailed understanding of its needs, priorities, and goals. Dr. Whitson greatly enjoys the pre-search visit, which allows her to meet and build relationships with the search committee, stakeholders, faculty members, and administrators. Her engaging personality is a brilliant asset, as it has allowed her to assemble an expansive network filled with impressive leaders and potential candidates for various positions.
Dr. Whitson has been a board member and chair for several non-profits, including the National Board of Directors of America’s Public Television Stations, the Arkansas Educational Television Network, and the South Carolina’s Educational Television Network’s Endowment. She was a senator in the United Methodist University Senate and chaired and served on numerous reaffirmation visits. Dr. Whitson also conducted, with three other presidents, a series of Potential President Workshops for the General Board of Higher Education of the United Methodist Church. In addition, she was an active member of the Independent Colleges and Universities of South Carolina and served as chair of its Presidents Council.
Dr. Whitson holds B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in English from the University of Arkansas and a diploma in international relations from the London School of Economics.
