Chancellor search group seeks faculty, student input
Meetings are scheduled to assist in the search for a new chancellor. National advertisements are being placed in hopes to attract candidates.
By Antoinette Vega
Staff Reporter

In order to gain more input on what is wanted in the next chancellor, a search committee official said he and a consultant will soon meet with faculty, alumni, staff and students.

Denny Alexander, chairman and spokesman for the committee, and a search consultant of Korn Ferry International are scheduled to meet today with the faculty and Friday with the alumni. They will attend the meeting of the Staff Assembly and the House of Student Representatives on Tuesday.

“The main purpose of the meetings is to listen to anything that is expressed about the search and the committee,” Alexander said.

Advertisements were also placed in the Chronicle of Higher Education and the Wall Street Journal last week, announcing the university’s need for a new chancellor and the criteria required in the anticipated leader, he said.

According to the advertisement, the next chancellor must demonstrate an appreciation for academic excellence, student development and diversity and commitment to these visions. Further qualifications included in the advertisement are integrity and a passion for educating students.

Opinions such as Todd Kerstetter’s, an assistant professor of history, are what Alexander said he hopes to gain from the meetings and advertisements.

Kerstetter said he thinks the most important criteria listed is the focus on academics.

“Candidates who might not have as much leadership experience, but focus on the university’s central mission of academic excellence need to be considered,” he said.

Kerstetter said everyone should attend the session to get a sense of what the university community wants.

“The chancellor is the person who sets the agenda so getting input from the community makes sense,” he said.

Maya Pouncy, a junior Spanish and sociology major, said she believes other students should be knowledgeable about what they want in a new leader and attend the meeting in order for their voices to be heard.

“The students make up the school and should want to give their opinions,” she said.

“The search committee will have their next meeting in October to review information gathered from the meetings and to accumulate names of nominees,” Alexander said.