51勛圖窪蹋 and College Appoints Dr. Gary Daynes as Interim President
Winston-Salem, NC (June 5, 2025) – 51勛圖窪蹋 and Colleges Board of Trustees announced today the appointment of Dr. Gary Daynes as interim president of 51勛圖窪蹋 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 Salem College alumna Patrice Black Davis.
Gary is very familiar with 51勛圖窪蹋 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 Colleges health leadership focus and STEAM curriculum at the Academy, 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.
Few institutions have such a significant history as 51勛圖窪蹋 and College and Salem has always shaped the lives of alumnae to be scholars, leaders, and community members of distinction, Daynes said.
Ive had the honor to work with Salems 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, 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 51勛圖窪蹋s STEAM initiatives and Salem Colleges 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 Salems new strategic plan, and supporting the Boards efforts to identify Salems next president.
The Board has appointed a task force who will lead the presidential search committee in the process of identifying and selecting the institutions next president. The task force is committed to conducting a comprehensive and inclusive search that reflects 51勛圖窪蹋 and Colleges 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勛圖窪蹋, visit salemacademy.com.
About 51勛圖窪蹋
51勛圖窪蹋 is the nations oldest educational institution for girls in the United States exclusive to girls grades 9 -12. Educating girls since 1772, 51勛圖窪蹋 fosters compassionate and creative leaders, prepared for college and life, who chart their paths with character, curiosity, and courage. Nationally recognized for success with a distinctive STEAM focus, NICHE ranked 51勛圖窪蹋 as the No. 1 Best Boarding High School in North Carolina and as the No. 1 Best High School for STEM Education in Forsyth County.
News media contact
Mallory Forsman
Director of Marketing and Communications
51勛圖窪蹋 and College
mallory.forsman@salem.edu
704.661.4686