Dear Antioch community,
The energy of experiential learning is woven into the fabric of Antioch. It’s in our bones. We’re an old-young college: old, in that we’re celebrating 175 years; young, in that we just marked 15 years of independence. We continue to learn and evolve, and moments of transition like this one are a natural invitation to pause and reflect together.
Our Board of Trustees is made up of twenty trustees, including students, staff, faculty, and alumni. All of us are deeply committed to an Antioch that continues to offer excellent, accessible education to today’s compassionate, justice-driven learners. As we move through this period of change, we’re approaching leadership succession, both interim and long-term, thoughtfully and with care. We look forward to broad stakeholder engagement in the coming presidential search.
We are genuinely grateful to Acting Interim President Natalie Kubat and the core leadership team, including Luisa Bieri, Dean of Cooperative, International, and Community-based Learning; Dean Snyder, Dean of Faculty and Principal Academic Officer; and James Goffe, Director of Business and Revenue, who have all stepped up to take on more responsibilities. You have our full support and confidence. We also send a heartfelt thank you to President Jane Fernandes, whose dedication has led the College in making our aspirations more sustainable, amplifying our unique strengths, and centering the student experience in all decisions.
Below is a short FAQ to help answer some of the questions we’ve been hearing. The Board is committed to staying in conversation, and you’ll hear from us more often in the coming months. Securing the future of Antioch College is work we can’t do without you, and we’re grateful to be doing it together.
With gratitude and in community,
Shalini Deo + Emily Seibel
co-Chairs, Board of Trustees
Antioch College Leadership Transition
Q & A
Question: Who will serve as President after September 10, 2026?
Answer: Natalie Kubat, Executive Director of Advancement, will serve as Acting Interim President, with the full support of the Board of Trustees. A core leadership team including Luisa Bieri, Dean of Cooperative, International, and Community-based Learning; Dean Snyder, Dean of Faculty and Principal Academic Officer; and James Goffe, Director of Business and Revenue, will assume additional administrative responsibilities that align with their roles to support the College during this transition period.
Question: Did President Jane Fernandes resign?
Answer: No, President Jane Fernandes is retiring effective September 10, 2026. The Board of Trustees voted to accept her retirement timeline. President Fernandes will remain at Antioch College in a limited role to assist with a seamless transition and oversee specific projects in the coming months.
Question: When will a new President be hired?
Answer: The Board of Trustees is conducting a nationwide search for the next President of Antioch College and intends to hire that person within the next 8-10 months. The Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees is preparing a search process that will include broad stakeholder engagement. More to come.
Question: What are the priorities for the College in the coming months?
Answer: The executive leadership team is working on finalizing the operational plan for FY27; increasing communication to the campus, alumni, and the Village of Yellow Springs; evaluating existing strategic and business plans; reducing expenses and increasing revenue; planning for facilities investments; finalizing the search for a new Director of Enrollment Management and Marketing; and welcoming new students to campus.
