James “Jim” Terhune is a distinguished and forward-thinking educator with extensive experience as a senior administrator and dean at highly regarded colleges. Throughout a dynamic career spanning more than 35 years, Jim's innovative leadership, creative problem solving, and successful team building consistently reshaped and redefined the programs and institutions he served.

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Jim’s most recent role as Vice President for Student Affairs at Swarthmore College from 2018 to 2022 showcases his expertise in fostering student success and creating vibrant campus communities. Prior to this, he led the student affairs division at Colby College as VPSA/Dean of Students for a decade. At Colby, Jim introduced the groundbreaking Colby 360 plan for student life, leaving an indelible mark on the institution.

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Over 15 years at Colgate University, Jim held numerous leadership roles, including Dean of Student Affairs, Dean of First-Year Students, and Director of Student Activities, proving his commitment to enhancing the student experience. His career in higher education began at Middlebury College, where he served as Assistant to the Dean of the College and Assistant Director of Student Activities. 

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Jim has an A.B. from Middlebury College and an Ed.M. from Harvard University.

Throughout his career, he has been a staunch advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, driving successful efforts to enhance support for underrepresented, international, LGBTQ+, first-generation, and low-income students. His extensive experience in strategic planning, organizational restructuring, and facilities planning and development has left a lasting impact on the institutions he’s served.

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In the summer of 2016, he launched James Terhune Consulting, LLC. His consulting work has spans several prestigious institutions, including Tufts University, Middlebury College, Denison University, St. Paul’s School, Kimball Union Academy, Connecticut College, Washington College, and Governor’s Academy, where his insights have guided transformative change. In addition to his work with JTC, since 2022 Jim has been a Senior Associate Consultant with Rockland-Miller, Heitzmann & Associates Consulting which provides consulting services to student mental health services in educational institutions.

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A native New Englander, Jim loves the outdoors and is an avid hiker, skier, cyclist, and golfer. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife, Marnie, Breck (the cat), and Tess (the dog). When they’re not working or wandering New Hampshire’s lovely hiking trails, they spend time visiting their two grown sons who live and work in Maine, watching the Red Sox, and stacking wood for the next winter.