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Presidential search narrows to ‘short list’
The search for a successor to President John B. Simpson appears to be nearing a conclusion, with the search committee whittling down the candidate pool to a “short list” of contenders. Photo: DOUGLAS LEVERE
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“Following extensive discussions with on- and off-list references, we are focusing our attention on a smaller group of candidates, each of whom offers superb qualifications for the presidency.”
UB’s search for its 15th president is progressing quickly, with candidates being narrowed down to a short list of contenders.
The Presidential Search Committee met with 10 candidates for a first round of intensive interviews; “more than half” of those were called back for more extensive, small-group interviews, search committee and UB Council Chair Jeremy Jacobs told UB faculty and staff in an e-mail last Thursday.
“Following extensive discussions with on- and off-list references, we are focusing our attention on a smaller group of candidates, each of whom offers superb qualifications for the presidency,” Jacobs said.
All of these candidates “have enjoyed distinguished academic careers, with some among the most pre-eminent scholars in their disciplinary fields,” he said, noting that the short list includes individuals who are serving or have served as top administrators at leading institutions in the Association of American Universities.
Jacobs declined to name those on the short list, noting that “the confidentiality of the search process precludes me from disclosing any additional details at this time.”
Search committee consultant Irene Nagel of Russell Reynolds Associates has said that confidentiality—from the inception of the search to its closure—is the best way to recruit the strongest candidate pool and ensure a successful process.
The candidates who have been interviewed were drawn from an initial pool of 69 applicants representing a diverse national and international pool from a wide range of academic disciplines and professional experiences. “The outstanding quality of the candidates for this position is evidence of the high regard that academic leaders have for UB, and the great confidence they have in its future,” Jacobs said.
Once its interview process has concluded, the search committee will recommend a list of qualified candidates to the UB Council. The council then makes its recommendation to SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher for consideration by the SUNY Board of Trustees, which makes the formal appointment.
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