Sherman, Texas -– Austin College has announced the successful completion of the search for their 17th president. Chair of the Austin College Board of Trustees Scott Austin ’83 has announced that the college’s next President will be Dr. Rebecca Cantor.
Dr. Cantor is currently Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Spring Hill College, a private liberal arts institution in Mobile, Alabama, a role she has held since 2022. Prior experience includes positions as Assistant Provost and Writing Program Administrator at Azusa Pacific University and Chair of the Liberal Arts at Savannah College of Art and Design. As a tenured professor of English, she has taught over 70 courses and published two books of poetry.
As Provost at Spring Hill College, she has worked extensively on Emergency Management, Institutional Effectiveness, including SACSCOC accreditation efforts, and student success and persistence initiatives—for which she co-authored a successful Title III grant application for $2.2 million for a project focused on student retention.
A tireless champion of liberal arts education, she is also a frequent speaker, contributor, and public voice in conversations about the unique value of the liberal arts. She views the liberal arts as essential for “educating the whole person and preparing students not merely for a specific career, but for a life of purpose, adaptability, and engaged citizenship in an increasingly complex world.”
Liberal arts education, she says, “takes shape in the space between classes and concepts as much as it does in a student’s philosophy or physics or psychology classes, deepening the wells students will draw from in whatever situations—life or career or calling—they come to encounter.”
In his announcement, Mr. Austin expressed his and the Board’s enthusiasm for Dr. Cantor. “We conducted a rigorous, nationwide search to find our next president. There were many outstanding candidates, but ultimately Dr. Cantor stood out above the rest. In addition to a breadth of experience in liberal arts higher education, Dr. Cantor will bring leadership that is based on collegiality, collaboration, and transparency, together with interminable energy and a deep desire for the college to succeed. We are confident that, under Dr. Cantor’s leadership, Austin College will continue the positive and upward momentum that we have experienced under the great leadership of President Steven O’Day. On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Austin College, we are excited about our future.”
Dr. Cantor holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut, a Master’s Degree in English from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California, and a Ph.D. in English from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California, where she wrote a dissertation on names and naming in Mark Twain’s literature. She will also hold the title of Professor of English at Austin College.
Dr. David Griffith, Professor of Business Administration and Economics, who was a faculty representative on the search committee, emphasized how well Cantor’s career and educational background has prepared her for the role. “Dr. Cantor’s liberal arts scholarship and executive experience make her the perfect fit for Austin College President. She has proven to be inspirational in times of opportunity and prepared and confident in a crisis. She will build on our existing strengths, unite us in common purpose, prepare us for the future, and make us even stronger than we are today,” he said.
President of Spring Hill College, Dr. Mary Van Brunt, echoed Griffith’s remarks about Cantor’s readiness for the role, and expressed her support for Cantor as she makes the transition to the Presidency. “Rebecca’s energy and enthusiasm provide a positive atmosphere on campus that will be missed. She has been a strong contributing member of the Senior Leadership team as Provost, eager to take on additional areas of responsibility, which will be beneficial in her role as President,” she said, adding, “I am thrilled for this wonderful opportunity for both Rebecca and Austin College.”
Austin College President Steven O’Day also voiced his support for Dr. Cantor, saying, “The upward trajectory and historic momentum of Austin College is such that this is the ideal time for a transition of leadership. I am excited for Rebecca to lead this extraordinary institution in its next chapter. I have no doubt that she is up to the task, and it is with complete confidence and peace of mind that I head into retirement knowing that she will step in and the college will not miss a beat.”
President Steven O’Day will remain at the helm of the institution until his retirement at the end of June 2026, at which point Dr. Cantor will assume the role. She will remain active in her current role as Provost at Spring Hill College through May 2026, and join Austin College in July 2026, with a goal of holding an inauguration celebration that fall.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 45 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The college, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.
