The Administration building
David Scibilia/The Bona Venture
BY: CASSIDEY KAVATHAS, ADVISORY EDITOR
The search for the new provost and vice president of academic affairs continues at St. Bonaventure University. The search committee is on track to bring finalists to campus before the end of the semester.
“Things are on track,” said Dr. Leigh Simone, the co-chair of the search committee. “ I firmly believe that we’re gonna be able to bring candidates to campus before the end of the semester. That’s the plan.”
The search committee met Tuesday to narrow down the semi-finalist candidates to the finalist candidates, according to Simone. Tom Missel, chief communication officer, also confirmed that the committee is interviewing semifinalist candidates. Simone said the committee has “a lot of good decisions,” to make this week.
“It’s been an exciting process,” said Simone. “It’s been a collaborative process.”
The search committee includes Ann Lehman, Chief of Staff as co-chair with Simone; Katie O’Brien, Vice President for Student Affairs; Kyle Leslie, director of Talent Acquisition, HRIS and employee services; Aaron Chimbel, Dean ofJandoli School of Communication; George Swindoll, Registrar; Dr. Sean Ryan, associate professor of biology; Michael Jones-Kelly, lecturer in the Jandoli School of Communication; Dr. Michael Gallagher, associate professor of finance; Dr. Ashley Luedke, associate professor and program chair of Education; Dr. Jeffrey Allen, assistant professor of public health; Ann Tenglund, director of the library and faculty development; and Connor Raine, student government president.
“Connor Raine is representing the students. The library is represented through Ann Tenglund. All faculty is represented through human resources. The president’s cabinet is represented,” said Simone. “There is a very broad and deep representation of the campus community.”
Raine, a junior sports management and marketing major, is confident the search committee can find a provost who pleases faculty and students.
“We want someone who is involved and very active on our campus. Somebody who students can go to in times of need,” said Raine. “Someone who is committed to furthering our students but also furthering our faculty and promoting their research and disciplines.”
From the faculty side of the search, Simone hopes whoever is chosen is an ally and advocate to faculty.
“As a faculty member, you want to see collaboration, you want to see transparency and you want to see communication not only from the position of provost but also from the position of the vice president of academic affairs,” Simone said. “You want to see that this person is going to carry that broadly throughout their dual role.”
Simone also said that faculty are looking for someone who has taught in a classroom setting.
“As a faculty member, you want to make sure this person has been in the trenches and they’ve taught,” said Simone. “Our candidates are from a remarkably broad perspective of disciplines.”
Another important aspect of the provost search is looking for someone who will be compatible and transparent with President Jeff Gingerich.
“I want to be able to see if we’re gonna have a good team because the provost is the president’s boots on the ground,” said Simone. “There has to be a synergy.”
Ultimately, Gingerich will have the final say in whomever becomes provost after the finalist candidates visit campus over the next few weeks.
“We [the search committee] are advisory in nature. The president will have to make his own decision as this is his partner,” said Simone. “We’ve done the vetting among us. The search firm has done the vetting for us. We just need to see what he decides.”
kavathcj20@bonaventure.edu
