News Summary

Nayef H. Samhat, the President of Wofford College, has announced his decision to step down in 2026 after a successful 13-year tenure. His leadership has led to significant institutional growth, including a remarkable increase in the college’s endowment from $141 million to $516 million. To honor his contributions, Wofford College will establish three endowed funds. Samhat plans to take a sabbatical before returning to the college as a tenured faculty member.

Spartanburg, SC – Wofford College President Nayef Samhat to Step Down in 2026

Nayef H. Samhat, Ph.D., the President of Wofford College, announced his intention to step down from his role on June 30, 2026, concluding a successful 13-year tenure marked by significant institutional growth. In recognition of his contributions, the Wofford College Board of Trustees has pledged $3 million to establish three endowed funds honoring Samhat’s legacy.

Endowed Funds Established in Samhat’s Honor

The endowed funds include:

• The Nayef H. Samhat Chair of Government and International Affairs: This fund acknowledges Samhat’s academic background and expertise in the field.
• The Nayef H. Samhat Faculty Development Fund: This fund is designed to enhance faculty quality through support for scholarship, teaching, leadership, and mentorship initiatives.
• The Nayef and Prema Samhat Endowed Scholarship Fund: This fund reflects the commitment of Samhat and his wife, Prema, to promoting student success and enriching the overall student experience.

Achievements During Samhat’s Tenure

Since assuming leadership in 2013, Samhat has overseen remarkable developments at Wofford College, including:

• An increase in the financial endowment from $141 million to $516 million.
• Growth in net assets from below $200 million to over $700 million.
• Construction or renovation of more than 20 facilities across campus.
• A 58% surge in applications for the incoming Class of 2029, with a total of 4,459 applicants.
• A decrease in the acceptance rate from 62% to 52%.

Under his leadership, Wofford College has been consistently recognized among the top national liberal arts colleges, cementing its reputation for academic excellence.

Future Plans and Presidential Search

Nayef Samhat aims to honor both his and Prema’s contributions throughout the presidential search process as the college prepares for a transition in leadership. A committee will be formed to oversee the selection of Wofford’s 12th president, composed of trustees, faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The committee intends to have a new president in place by May 2026.

After stepping down, Samhat plans to take a sabbatical year before returning to the college as a tenured faculty member, where he will continue to foster the academic development of students and engage with faculty colleagues.

Background on Nayef Samhat

Prior to his role at Wofford College, Nayef Samhat held the position of Provost at Kenyon College and served as an Associate Professor at Centre College. His expertise spans multiple facets of higher education, lending to the successful administration and strategic planning witnessed during his leadership at Wofford.

As Wofford College approaches the conclusion of Samhat’s presidency, the institution reflects on a transformative era that has substantially enhanced its academic environment, faculty resources, and student engagement.

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Additional Resources

• Go Upstate: Wofford College President to Step Down
• Google Search: Wofford College President Nayef Samhat step down
• Post and Courier: Wofford College President Announcement
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Wofford College
• Fox Carolina: Wofford College President Steps Down
• Google News: Wofford College presidential search

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