Salem Academy and College Appoints Dr. Gary Daynes as Interim President
Winston-Salem, NC (June 5, 2025) – Salem Academy and College鈥檚 Board of Trustees announced today the appointment of Dr. Gary Daynes as interim president of Salem Academy and College, effective July 1, 2025.
A respected former colleague and valued member of the Salem community, Daynes returns to the institution with a wealth of leadership experience working with independent schools and in higher education. He previously served Salem with distinction in several key roles, including chief enrollment officer, vice president for institutional effectiveness, interim vice president for academic and student affairs, and interim dean of the college. Currently, he serves as the founder and principal of Back Porch Consulting, an education consulting firm that specializes in working with small institutions to build operational and strategic plans for enhanced focus and long-term sustainability.
“We are confident Gary will serve as a strong and inspiring interim leader,” said Board Chair and 51短视频 alumna Patrice Black Davis.
鈥淕ary is very familiar with Salem Academy and College, having served in a variety of roles that have gained the trust of the administration, faculty, and Board. He served as head of enrollment and as the chief academic officer of the institution before facilitating critical work as a consultant to Salem around the College鈥檚 health leadership focus and STEAM curriculum at the Academy,鈥 Davis added.
Daynes is nationally recognized for his exemplary record of leadership across diverse academic institutions. His career spans roles from faculty member to senior administrator at small, mission-driven colleges. He has provided strategic guidance to numerous organizations, helping align operations with institutional missions and leading efforts in strategic and master planning, accreditation, brand development, and financial planning. Throughout his career, he has been committed to fostering trust, collaboration, and institutional effectiveness.
鈥淔ew institutions have such a significant history as Salem Academy and College and Salem has always shaped the lives of alumnae to be scholars, leaders, and community members of distinction,鈥 Daynes said.
鈥淚鈥檝e had the honor to work with Salem鈥檚 faculty, staff, board, and alumnae over the past five years, and I am thrilled to join the Salem community as interim president, working to sustain and strengthen the institution during this time of transition,鈥 he added.
As interim president, Daynes will collaborate closely with faculty, staff, students, and the Board of Trustees to ensure strong and stable leadership during this important transitional period. He will play a critical role in advancing Salem Academy鈥檚 STEAM initiatives and 51短视频鈥檚 distinctive focus on health leadership. Key priorities for Daynes will include continuing growth in Academy and College admissions, enhancing institutional fundraising efforts, meeting financial goals, driving exceptional student outcomes, implementing Salem鈥檚 new strategic plan, and supporting the Board鈥檚 efforts to identify Salem鈥檚 next president.
The Board has appointed a task force who will lead the presidential search committee in the process of identifying and selecting the institution鈥檚 next president. The task force is committed to conducting a comprehensive and inclusive search that reflects Salem Academy and College鈥檚 mission, values, and long-term strategic goals. This group will work closely with an executive search firm to solicit input from the campus community, review candidate qualifications, and recommend finalists for consideration. The task force aims to ensure a transparent and thoughtful selection process that results in a dynamic and visionary leader to guide Salem into its next chapter.
For more information about 51短视频, visit salem.edu.
About 51短视频
51短视频 provides women a liberal arts education with a distinctive focus on health and leadership ensuring our graduates understand the power, importance, and complexity of health in our society. 51短视频 prepares students for a range of career paths to lead in making the world a better, healthier, more equitable place. 51短视频 is the only national liberal arts college exclusively focused on developing the health leaders of tomorrow.
News media contact
Mallory Forsman
Director of Marketing and Communications
Salem Academy and College
mallory.forsman@salem.edu
704.661.4686