Project Description

CarterBaldwin Executive Search joins Lipscomb University in its announcement that former Tennessee Commissioner of Education Dr. Candice McQueen has been appointed the school’s 18th president and first female CEO of the 130-year-old faith-based institution. She succeeds L. Randolph Lowry III, who will transition from the role of president after 16 years to chancellor.

“We are thrilled about Dr. McQueen’s return to the university,” said David Solomon, chair of the Lipscomb Board of Trustees. “I am confident that her vision, deep expertise, passion for education and love for Lipscomb will lead us boldly into a new season of greatness, exemplified by excellence, diversity and immersion in our community as together we work to transform the lives of our students.”

Before becoming the state’s top education official, McQueen served Lipscomb as senior vice president and dean of the university’s College of Education. As dean, McQueen doubled the school’s enrollment and giving, and expanded programming to include six new graduate programs, including the university’s first doctoral program. She also led the College of Education to recognition at the state and national levels for excellence in teacher preparation and teaching outcomes.

As senior vice president, McQueen also had the responsibility for oversight of Lipscomb Academy, the 1,300-student preK-12th grade college preparatory school, was a member of the president’s executive leadership team, and set strategic vision for the university.

Currently, McQueen is CEO of the National Institute of Excellence in Teaching (NIET), a national nonprofit founded by the Milken Education Foundation that increases educator capacity across K-12 and higher education partners in over 21 states. As CEO, McQueen has overseen substantial growth of NIET’s work, including increasing service revenue and partnerships by almost 40% in 2.5 years, receiving more than $50 million in new multiyear federal and state grants, and significantly increasing NIET’s national profile and influence stage on improving educator effectiveness to ensure every student achieves.

McQueen has a BS from Lipscomb University, an MEd from Vanderbilt University, and a PhD from the University of Texas. Early in her career, McQueen taught in both private and public elementary and middle schools, was an adjunct on faculty at Vanderbilt University and was an assistant instructor and supervisor of student teachers at the University of Texas at Austin. She has won multiple awards for her teaching at both the K-12 and collegiate levels. Her primary research interests are teacher professional development, leadership, and reading and writing methods.

Click here to read the complete announcement from Lipscomb University.

About Lipscomb University
Lipscomb University is a vibrant Christian, liberal arts community with a student body of nearly 5,000 students that represent more than 52 nations and 32 religious preferences. Located in the heart of Nashville, Lipscomb University is committed to developing students whose academic excellence, faith and practice reflect our ideas of global citizenship and offers more than 176 undergraduate majors and minors, 60 master’s degree programs and four doctoral degree programs. The institution also includes Lipscomb Academy, a PreK2-12th grade college preparatory school of nearly 1,300 students. For more information, visit www.lipscomb.edu.