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Jon C. Stuckey named interim president of °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ University

Mechanicsburg, Pa. (April 16, 2025) — The °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ University Board of Trustees announced today that it has named Jon C. Stuckey, Ph.D., as interim president of the University, effective July 1, 2025. Stuckey, °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ’s vice president for advancement, was appointed yesterday via a special vote of °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ’s board and was invited by the trustees to lead the university until a permanent president is appointed. 

“Dr. Stuckey is an experienced higher education professional with an established record of effective leadership and strategic initiatives, as well as published research, grant writing and teaching,” said David Millary, acting chair of °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ’s board of trustees. “His successful organization of capital campaigns has resulted in millions of dollars for facilities, programs and scholarships for the university. We believe his leadership will advance our institutional mission during this important time of change and will continue °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ’s distinctive Christ-centered educational outcomes in the lives of our students.”

Stuckey’s appointment follows an announcement from °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ’s board last month that it had concluded the initial search phase for °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ’s ninth president and was moving to an interim presidency. The board will communicate more about its plans for the ongoing presidential search at a later date. Stuckey succeeds President Kim S. Phipps, Ph.D., who publicly announced her retirement plans in June 2024, and whose contract officially concludes on June 30, 2025.

“Jon Stuckey is an outstanding selection to lead °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ University during this critical transition,” said President Kim Phipps. “He is trusted and respected by the campus and extended °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ, and his deeply held Christian faith, personal integrity, warm compassion and servant leadership are exhibited on a daily basis. Jon has demonstrated passion and support for °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ’s mission over the past 25 years. I am confident that his proven ability to collaborate with °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ’s students, alumni, faculty, employees, trustees and friends makes him an ideal fit to help °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ navigate the university’s current challenges and opportunities.”

°ÅÀÖÊÓƵ Jon Stuckey

Stuckey earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in sociology from Case Western Reserve University and his B.A in psychology from Malone University. Serving as °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ’s vice president for advancement since 2023, Stuckey is a member of President’s Cabinet and oversees the University’s fundraising, alumni and parent relations, and marketing and communications divisions. He has served in various leadership roles at the University for the past 25 years, including: associate vice president of development; executive director and director of development; senior development officer; and director of foundation relations and sponsored programs.

“I am grateful to serve this university that I love so deeply,” said Stuckey. “Our mission of educating men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith has never been more urgent for a world in need of °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ graduates who are servant leaders and agents of reconciliation in local, national and global °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ. It is a privilege to build on the transformational legacy of Kim S. Phipps as we move forward expectantly and confidently of the Lord's continued faithfulness and favor over this period of transition.”

Under Stuckey’s leadership, °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ has raised $128 million in support of academic, administrative and athletic facilities, as well as institutional scholarships and endowments. He served as administrative director of capital campaigns from 2007–2022, all of which exceeded their goals. The most recent, The Campaign for °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ University, raised $83.4 million—surpassing its $75 million goal and becoming the largest campaign in University history. Early in his tenure at °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ, he established the University’s first grants office, significantly expanding funding from private and public sources for faculty research and institutional initiatives. Stuckey has also served as an adjunct faculty member—teaching courses in the Department of Psychology, Criminal Justice and Sociology and in the Department of Human Development and Family Science. Prior to coming to °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ in 2000, Stuckey served for 13 years in a variety of teaching, research and administrative leadership roles at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio.

°ÅÀÖÊÓƵ °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ University

Founded in 1909, °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ University is a nationally ranked, private Christian university in °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ Pennsylvania, just 12 miles from the state capital, Harrisburg. The University enrolls more than 3,300 undergraduate and graduate students across 80+ undergraduate majors and 30+ graduate degree and certificate programs. Recognized for its outstanding academics, career preparation and experiential learning programs, °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ is also known for its championship athletics (22 NCAA Division III teams with 35 national titles since 2000), celebrated arts programs, transformational faith formation, service and global engagement, including study abroad in 40+ locations. Learn more at messiah.edu/about.