Dr. Linda Schott, president of University of Maine at Presque Isle, has been named the next president of Southern Oregon University following a unanimous vote Monday of the SOU board of trustees.
She will succeed Dr. Roy Saigo, who is retiring in July and has served as president of SOU since July 2014.
“We are extremely pleased to have a person and educator of Dr. Schott’s quality to be the next president of SOU,” said SOU board chair Bill Thorndike. “Following our nation-wide search, and out of a very deep pool of competitive applicants, her qualifications, experience, and interactions with the SOU community elevated her to the top.”
Schott holds a doctorate in history and humanities from Stanford University, a master’s degree in history, also from Stanford, and a bachelor’s degree in history and German from Baylor University.
Prior to her role as president of University of Maine at Presque Isle, Schott held various positions in higher education teaching and administration, including dean of the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Fort Lewis College in Colorado; associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences at Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti; and numerous faculty appointments.
“We are certain that Dr. Schott’s leadership style, vision, and values are aligned with the SOU mission and that she is a great fit for the university and the greater Rogue Valley community,” Thorndike added.
"I'm thrilled to have been selected as the next president of Southern Oregon University. SOU has a strong history and a bright future, and I am privileged to be able to serve as its president,” said Schott. “My husband, Tom, and I fell in love with the campus and the community during our interview, and we look forward to doing great work and building new friendships in the years ahead."
Schott will assume the presidency July 29.
