The University of Lynchburg has appointed Dr. Sally Coleman Selden as its next president following a unanimous vote by the university’s board of trustees. Selden will become the institution’s 12th president, succeeding Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar, who plans to retire on June 30, 2026.
Selden currently serves as provost and dean at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, where she has overseen academic programs, strategic planning, and enrollment growth. She brings more than 25 years of academic leadership experience, including work in strategic planning, fundraising, enrollment management, and financial oversight.
“The University of Lynchburg holds a special place in my heart, and I am honored to return as its next president,” Selden said. “I look forward to working with the community to support our students, invest in faculty and staff, and continue building momentum for the university’s future.”
Her appointment follows a six-month national search led by a 20-member presidential search committee representing faculty, staff, students, alumni, and trustees. The search process was supported by executive search firm Isaacson, Miller.
Selden previously spent 18 years at the University of Lynchburg, serving in several leadership roles including associate provost, department chair, and director of the Master of Business Administration program.
At The Citadel, she has helped lead strategic planning initiatives and expand enrollment while supporting a $300 million fundraising campaign tied to the institution’s “Mighty Citadel 2026” strategic plan.
University officials said Selden’s leadership experience and longstanding ties to the Lynchburg community position her to guide the university’s next phase of growth.
