Harding Academy Superintendent Search

PreK-12 Superintendent Search

For 101 years now, Harding Academy has engaged PreK-12th grade students in a highly intentional and relational educational environment, centered on its Christian mission and academic excellence. We desire for each and every one of our students to grow in character, knowledge and zeal for good works in God’s kingdom. We seek a superintendent who will join and lead a dedicated faculty and staff in moving Harding Academy forward in ways that enrich the total lives of our students, advance the strategic aims of our school and ultimately bring glory to God.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful superintendent candidate will be:

• A visionary leader who provides clarity, energy
  and direction.
• A relational shepherd who builds trust and
  inspires others toward a Christ-centered mission.
• A creative problem-solver who navigates
  complexity with wisdom and courage.
• A decisive executor who follows through, drives
  results and holds others accountable.
• A delegator who empowers a strong team to
  handle operational detail while focusing on
  mission and leadership.
• A mature disciple of Jesus Christ whose life
  reflects biblical conviction, integrity and servant leadership.

Position Overview

Supported by the Harding University Board of Trustees, the superintendent reports directly to the University president. In addition to full board support, the superintendent works closely with the Harding Academy sub-committee of the Board of Trustees. This position requires the selected leader be an active member of a local congregation of the Church of Christ.

The superintendent serves as the chief executive of Harding Academy, providing decisive direction, relational leadership and strategic oversight of all aspects of the school. The superintendent will ensure that every program, policy and plan reflect the Academy’s commitment to Christ, academic excellence and whole- person formation. This role requires a leader who can cast compelling vision, inspire faculty and families, build partnerships and drive organizational momentum, while entrusting detail management to a strong team of administrators and staff.

Key Responsibilities

1. Vision and Strategic Leadership

• Establish and communicate a clear, Christ-centered vision for the Academy’s future, aligning academic and spiritual goals with the school’s mission.
• Develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan with measurable outcomes in enrollment, financial sustainability, academic excel- lence and spiritual formation.
• Make timely, confident decisions that move the Academy forward and sustain momentum

2. Relational and Community Leadership

• Serve as a shepherd-leader to faculty, staff and families, cultivating trust, unity and Christlike character.
• Build strong partnerships with parents, churches, alumni, donors and community leaders to advance the mission of the school.
• Represent Harding Academy with authenticity and excellence in the wider community, strengthening the Academy’s reputation and influence.

3. Innovation and Problem Solving

• Anticipate challenges and proactively design creative, mis- sion-aligned solutions that balance stability with innovation.
• Lead initiatives in curriculum development, instructional meth- ods, technology integration and extracurricular programming.
• Encourage a culture of thoughtful risk-taking and continuous improvement while ensuring faithfulness to Harding’s biblical foundation.

4. Delegation and Systems Oversight

• Empower and oversee administrators and staff in managing the details of finance, compliance, operations and daily procedures.
• Ensure accountability structures are in place, with regular reviews and reports that inform strategic decision-making.
• Build leadership capacity across the Academy by mentoring and equipping others to flourish in their roles.

Academy at a glance

Harding Academy is a Pre-K through 12th grade school affiliated with Harding University in Searcy, AR. The University was established in 1924, when two junior colleges, Arkansas Christian College in Morrilton and Harper College in Kansas, merged under the name, Harding College. From its founding, the institution included the Academy, offering elementary through high school. This joint establishment and parent relationship with the University is a unique one that continues to provide mutual benefit and strength.

In 1934, Harding College moved from Morrilton to Searcy by acquiring the campus of the former Galloway Female College. This move provided increased acreage and buildings, benefiting both the college and the Academy. Harding Academy has continued to maintain its Christian identity and affiliation with the churches of Christ. It has developed into a full Pre-K through 12th grade school, teaching and mentoring nearly 840 students. This represents a total enrollment increase of 239 students in the last five years (Fall 2021 to Fall 2025).

Searcy, Arkansas

A city of nearly 24,000 residents, Searcy is rich in heritage and full of opportunities. With a multitude of restaurants, boutiques, shopping centers and department stores, Searcy continues to provide a small town feel with big city opportunities. Searcy is home to manufacturing companies as well as to Harding University, a private Christian University with nearly 5,000 students. To enhance life for all of its residents, the city is expanding its parks and community resources, revamping its sports and recreational facilities through a brand-new community center, and has relocated and significantly improved the city library. While growing in population and overall amenities, Searcy remains a safe and connected community in which to live and raise a family.

Our Mission

Harding Academy is a Christ-centered school that promotes academic excellence while building a relationship with God and the community.

Our Vision

The Harding Academy family will be image bearers of Christ in all endeavors as we serve in the school, in the community and into the future.

Process for Candidacy

If, after reading this candidate profile, you sense a strong alignment of your God-given gifts and experiences with the expectations outlined for this superintendent role, we invite you to begin the inquiry process. The information you submit will be treated with seriousness and confidenti- ality. You may contact Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson at 334-462-4483 at any point in this process for additional information or to ask questions.

• A current resume
• A cover letter expressing your interest in and overall fit for this position.
• Two letters of recommendation from professionals or mentors who know you well enough to speak on your credentials and experiences for this position.

Submit this information via email with attachments to:
Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson
jthompson8@harding.edu
334-462-4483
In the subject line of the email, please include “Harding Academy Superintendent”