President William “Bill” Lahey is passing the torch after the 2025-26 school year. For some, this marks the end of an era; for others, it’s an opportunity.
The university’s board of governors announced on Dec. 5 that they accepted Lahey’s decision not to extend his term, which ends on June 30, 2026.
“Stability of leadership is very good,” said Lahey in an interview, “but also there comes a time when change in leadership is very, very good.”
Vice President Sarah Clift, who will also be stepping down from her administrative role after this year, reflected on her time working with Lahey, saying, “Bill has a very strong set of ideas for the college, for the direction of the college.”
“It’s been a huge learning curve working with him,” said Clift. “He demands a lot of himself, and that kind of makes everyone rise, but you have to rise to the challenge.”
King’s Student Union (KSU) president Sara MacCallum echoed this statement in an interview. She said it is clear that Lahey came to his role at King’s with select goals in mind and has worked well within the administrative system to see them through.
While Lahey regularly accepts invitations from the KSU to discuss the school’s goals, MacCallum hasn’t always felt his open door reflects an open mind.
“He will always talk about the things that we care about, that students care about,” said MacCallum. “[But] a willingness to listen is not always willingness to act.”
By the end of his term, the school’s 25th president and vice-chancellor will have led the King’s community for 10 years. His tenure is marked by a culture of openness and familiarity with the student body.
“He knows my name and all my friends’ names, and I imagine he knows most people’s names,” said Luke Kotaska, a third-year at King’s. “I think that’s pretty admirable.”
Kotaska and fellow third-year Trinity Adams know Lahey for his dedication to student sports. He regularly attends practices and games sporting the usual King’s merch.
“One of the things I’m really grateful for,” said Lahey, “is that as president of King’s, you get to be part of King’s yourself.”
Lahey plans to take a year off after his term ends to think about what’s best for him and his family.
“I’ll be 65, so maybe it’ll be time to slow down,” he said.
As Lahey looks ahead, so does the rest of King’s. Clift said there’s always an uphill battle for admin. From government funding and cost of living crises to changing policies for international students, she hopes the next president will continue to foster relationships with students while managing these unique responsibilities of being president.
“I just really hope that our next president will be able to have the same flexibility of mind as Bill,” said Clift. “To be able to respond to these challenges as they come up.”
MacCallum said the KSU will have a prominent role in selecting the next president. She hopes mental health support and access to education will be the primary goals discussed, along with a willingness to further the progress King’s has made under Lahey.
“A lot of change is coming, and I think for a lot of people, that’s scary,” said MacCallum. “For me, it feels like opportunity.”
Lahey is proud of how King’s has become more accessible and welcoming to the diverse community of learners who come to King’s during and beyond his tenure.
“I hope that those relationships are held up and that they continue,” said Lahey, “and that King’s continues to make progress in equity and being welcoming.”
