Brooke Barnett, a top administrator at an Indianapolis university, will be Rollins College’s next president, the school announced Wednesday.
Barnett will become the Winter Park college’s 16th president in July. She will succeed Grant Cornwell, who has been president of the small, private liberal arts school since 2015. Cornwell announced his retirement in April, effective June 2025.
Barnett’s selection ends a seven-month national search for the college’s next leader, which attracted more than 150 applicants, according to the college’s announcement.
Barnett is the provost and executive vice president at Butler University in Indiana. She holds a bachelor’s in English and communication studies from Georgetown College along with a master’s in journalism and a doctorate in mass communication from Indiana University.
In an interview with the Orlando Sentinel, Barnett said she learned several weeks ago that she got the Rollins job and is relieved to not have to keep the secret anymore.
“I was really, really excited to get that call,” Barnett said.
She described herself as a “human-centered” leader who is eager to get on campus and expand her knowledge of Rollins, which enrolls about 2,300 students.
Cornwell’s departure means she has big shoes to fill, which she told him when the two met after her selection. Cornell replied, “size 14 shoes, to be exact,” she said, laughing.
Eltavious Johnson, a 20-year-old Rollins junior who served on the presidential search committee, said Barnett stood out in the interview process for “her humanity” and how much she seemed to want to engage with students.
“She sold us,” said the communications and music major. “She struck as authentic… she demonstrated empathy and respect for everyone.”
During Barnett’s interview with the committee, Johnson asked her what she would do if there was a campus protest outside of her office on her way into work.
She paused before answering, he said, and then said she’s sure she’d know at least one student in the crowd, which would be an in for her to start talking to the group.
Barnett also stood out from the crowd of candidates because she came prepared, Johnson said. She didn’t pretend to have all the answers to their questions and was open to collaboration with others to find the right way forward, he said.
The college plans to introduce Barnett to students and faculty at an on-campus event this afternoon.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.