Southeast prepares search for provost candidates

A job description for Southeast Missouri State University's next provost is being finalized by a search committee, with a goal to post the position and begin accepting applications in mid-June.

Hamner Hill, professor and chairman of the department of political science, philosophy and religion, serves as chairman of the university's search committee.

"We've put together a broad timeline for when applications will be due, when we're going to do our reviewing, and we set up dates for face-to-face interviews at the airport in St. Louis," Hill said.

Southeast also hired Academic Search -- a firm based in Washington, D.C., that serves higher education institutions -- to assist the committee.

The committee formed soon after April 8, when William Eddleman announced his plan to step down as the university's chief academic officer June 1 and return to the faculty until Jan. 1, when he will retire.

Eddleman said since he plans to retire next year, Southeast's next president, Carlos Vargas-Aburto, "should have the opportunity to begin the provost search process as early as possible."

Gerald McDougall, associate provost for Extended Learning, dean of the Harrison College of Business and executive director of the Missouri Innovation Corporation at Southeast, was named interim provost and chief academic officer. He will not be a candidate for the permanent position.

Hill said the search for a provost will be similar to the university's recent presidential search.

When a candidate expresses interest in the position, they'll be notified of the interviews scheduled for Sept. 24 and 25 at the St. Louis airport, giving them adequate time to prepare if selected, Hill said.

Between eight to 10 candidates will be interviewed in St. Louis. Then three to four will be brought to campus for public forums, as well as meetings with faculty, staff, deans and others who report to the provost.

The candidates also will meet with Vargas, who will assume the presidency July 1, after president Ken Dobbins' retirement.

Some of the provost's responsibilities include maintaining academic program quality and deciding which programs need to be strengthened, trimmed or added. The provost also makes hiring and tenure decisions.

"All the faculty personnel functions ultimately end up going through the provost's office," Hill said.

The job will be posted on Southeast's and The Chronicle of Higher Education's websites, as well as other online publications.

"One of the main values of the search firm is they know people who are in the market for a provost position," Hill said. "So, they'll be doing a lot of direct recruiting."

Hill said anyone on campus who knows of a viable candidate is encouraged to tell that person of the opening.

"What we want is the best possible pool of candidates to select from," he said.

The closing date for applications will be in August, giving the search committee time to review the candidates.

"Then we'll have a big meeting where we'll decide who we want to interview at the airport," he said.

klamb@semissourian.com

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