Dr. Douglas N. Searcy, 12th President of Barton College, has chosen a bold strategic path as he leads this campus community with a passionate vision. His BartonBold strategic plan encompasses five campus themes: deepening Barton’s exceptional academics, expanding our vibrant campus, intentionally accelerating growth, further developing a robust infrastructure, and focusing on healthy finances. BartonBold is focused on envisioning and embracing opportunities that inspire our students toward success. Under Dr. Searcy’s leadership, the campus focuses on people and relationships, performance and results. At Barton College, expectations determine outcomes.
Dr. Searcy’s leadership through BartonBold is deepening the College’s commitment to students while increasing growth in a measured and sustainable way. He has established a Student Engagement and Success Division on campus, and his strategic initiatives are expanding programs and services that promote the student learning experience.
Within just three years of his presidency, Dr. Searcy has overseen the completion of several facility renovations to support student academics and co-curricular programming, including a new anatomy laboratory in Moye Science Hall, a new Center for Religious Studies, significant structural and audio/visual technology renovations to Howard Chapel, and audio/visual technology enhancements in Hardy Alumni Hall. Additional projects are currently under discussion.
Under his administration, Barton has expanded its academic offerings each year. To date, three new undergraduates majors have been added: healthcare administration (B.S.), interdisciplinary arts and media (B.A.), photojournalism (B.S.), as well as a fourth, communications (B.A.), beginning fall 2018. A fourth graduate program for Barton, a 3+2 Strategic Leadership M.B.A. is in its second year, and a new Master of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice Sciences has been approved for the near future.
New pathways for online programming have been blazed to include the newly established online R.N. to B.S.N. program, begun in fall 2017 under the umbrella of the Graduate and Professional Studies, as well as two additional online undergraduate programs, Business (B.A.) and Justice Administration (B.A.), scheduled to begin late summer 2018.
Dr. Searcy’s passion for preparing students to become leaders on campus, and later in their communities, has led to the incorporation of emotional intelligence testing and development to augment students’ academic and co-curricular growth. And, intentional discussions through diversity and inclusion programming, vocational activities, and involvement in community service projects are providing Barton students with additional opportunities to discover meaningful purpose in their lives, while developing a stronger sense of self and a broadened respect for others. At Barton, bold thinkers form bold leaders.
To further expand student engagement on campus, Dr. Searcy has encouraged the establishment of five co-curricular cohort options for students: the Presidential Leadership Fellows, Phi Beta Lambda, Ethics Bowl Team, Cheer Team, and Dance Team. He has also overseen the development of a bold student development philosophy, endorsing five core principles that capture the essence of the Barton Experience and guide the work of the professional Barton community.
Finally, by coordinating the assessment of new sport development, the College has been able to add programs congruent with the mission, vision, and culture of the College. To date, four new NCAA DII athletic programs have been added under Dr. Searcy’s leadership: men’s and women’s swimming, and men’s and women’s lacrosse, with a fifth, Barton football, to be established in the coming months. These five sports complement an already strong intercollegiate athletics program on campus that intentionally supports campus vibrancy, as well as institutional growth and vitality.
Dr. Searcy empowers the Barton College community to think creatively and act purposefully — to advance the College, inspired by a shared vision that is intently focused on student learning and success. With these bold initiatives, a new standard has been set for how the campus serves and supports students during their Barton Experience.