John Flicker, Prescott College’s new president, inspires confidence. On the job for only a few weeks, he is already doing just that for the nearly 50-year-old liberal arts college situated a few blocks west of Prescott’s historic downtown and Courthouse Plaza.
As an academia “outsider,” Flicker is a non-traditional hire for Prescott College. Prior to accepting the position of president for the West’s exceptional liberal arts college, he served as president of the National Audubon Society for 15 years. Before that, he had a long career with The Nature Conservancy, rising to national leadership positions of general counsel and chief operating officer. Flicker brings proven, high-caliber fundraising and leadership skills, plus a focus on strengthening Prescott College’s track record of training young leaders for productive and rewarding careers in a wide range of outdoor industry, environmental studies and ever-changing natural resources fields. Prescott College’s many alumni are thriving in business in fields such as adventure, agriculture, alternative transportation, consulting, health and wellness, non-profit services, real estate, retail and more.
“I was attracted by the mission,” said Flicker. “I spent most of my career working to protect our environment. Prescott College now gives me the opportunity to help build the next generation of conservation and civic leaders,” he said, adding that these career fields are somewhat unique.
Prescott College is Arizona’s only private non-profit liberal arts college. As such, it plays a unique role in the educational and cultural infrastructure of the state. There are more than 500 private liberal arts colleges across the country, and nearly all of them are facing financial challenges. Enrollments and tuition revenue are decreasing as a result of the shrinking pool of potential college applicants. State and federal support for higher education is decreasing. Middle-class families have less discretionary income to spend on tuition, and students are more reluctant to go into debt for school. Meanwhile, the cost of running colleges continues to increase.
Prescott College addressed these challenges directly with the selection of Flicker as its new president. For the first time in its nearly half-a-century history, the college selected someone from outside of academia with experience managing large non-profit organizations and fundraising campaigns.
“I fit in,” said Flicker of his new job. In addition to honing Prescott College’s focus on seeing its graduates thrive – working in fields including wilderness guides and outdoor recreation leadership – Flicker and the Prescott College team are giving students the tools they need.
After an almost year-long search, the college’s board of trustees tapped Flicker to begin his term as its new president.
“We had a great pool of talent to choose from, but John Flicker’s passion for the environment and social justice best matched the mission of Prescott College,” said Dan Boyce, chairman of the board. “His fundraising experience will also be a benefit to the school.”
Just before his appointment, Flicker worked with various conservation and environmental education foundations developing funding programs and policies. He is co-chair of the Blue Sky Funders Forum, a consortium of funders for the environment and education, including the National Environmental Education Foundation, Disney, and the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation of the Stephen Bechtel Fund, among others. Flicker is also a trustee of the George B. Storer Foundation.
“Prescott College is a nationally recognized and respected institution in liberal arts, the environment and social justice,” said Flicker. “I’m honored by this opportunity and eager to become part of the Prescott community.”
Among some 10,000 graduates since 1966, Prescott College boasts a U.S. Senator, two MacArthur Foundation “Genius Award” winners and a U.S. ambassador. The prestigious Princeton Review selected Prescott College as one of the best institutions for undergraduate education and included the school in its Guide to Green Colleges for excellence in sustainability. U.S. News and World Report featured Prescott College in its 2015 Best in the West Colleges for Veterans. In addition, Prescott College is ranked among the Top Colleges in Arizona Shaping the Next Generation (onlinecollegedatabase.org). QCBN
Prescott College offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a residential and limited residency format. For more information, visit www.prescott.edu.
By Steele Wotkyns
Quad Cities Business News
Steele Wotkyns is principal of WotkynsPRplus, a public relations firm serving clients throughout Northern Arizona.
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