Faculty, staff, students and alumni discussed the attributes they want in Ole Miss’ next Chancellor with the IHL Board Search Committee during the listening sessions Thursday. Photo by Robert Jordan/Ole Miss Communications
The University of Mississippi Board Search Committee and the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning had an opportunity to hear for the last time Thursday (Aug. 27) what UM constituencies want in their next chancellor.
Faculty, staff, students, academic leaders and alumni voiced their suggestions to the board. Some of the recurring attributes for the potential candidate included an academic background, understanding of fundraising, focus on diversity and an ear for the needs of employees.
“We want a leader that’s going to listen to us, bring us together and continue the momentum,” said Joe Ward, professor and chair of the Arch Dalrymple III Department of History. “As we’ve become more diverse, we’ve become a stronger university. We can’t go back.”
Graduate student Jenna Decker said the search process should be conducted with focus on the students.
“We need to remember why we do what we do,” Decker said. “The first priority of the process should be the overall benefit of the student. The rest will follow.”
IHL Commissioner Glenn Boyce echoed those sentiments.
“There’s a unique characteristic that the chancellor of the University of Mississippi needs to possess,” he said. “We need someone that can walk with students and talk with alumni. We need a chancellor to be engaged in diversity and someone that understands inclusion. The candidate needs to understand the importance of shared governance and a deep appreciation and significant knowledge of academia.”
The listening sessions are a vital part of the search process, said Alice Clark, UM vice chancellor for research and sponsored programs and chair of the Campus Search Advisory Committee.
“It’s very important to hear all perspectives in the community,” Clark said. “The university is enjoying unprecedented success and the community wants the next chancellor to continue that momentum.”
The deadline for candidates to apply is Sept. 1. The search committee will review the candidates and conduct interviews beginning in mid-October. IHL board member Ford Dye said he still expects a preferred candidate to be presented by the end of 2015.