Evaluating Candidates | Eastern North Carolina Now

 Publisher's note: The author of this post, Jamie Smith, is a contributor to ECU News Services.

ECU Chancellor Search Committee to begin reviewing resumes

 Members of the Chancellor Search Committee met Jan. 28 to discuss how they will review potential candidates for the next leader of East Carolina University.

 "The process is going as planned and our search firm feels very encouraged by the candidates they are reviewing," said Steve Jones, leader of the search committee and chair of the Board of Trustees.

 The search has reached the point where committee members will begin examining resume files submitted to Witt/Kieffer, the firm selected to help guide the committee through the selection.

 At Thursday's meeting, the search firm walked committee members through what they should consider in the early process of reviewing resume files, which usually include a cover letter and an electronic collection of the applicant's work. "Look for a combination of accomplishments, responsibilities and leadership skills inside and outside the institution," suggested Lucy Leske, senior partner of Witt/Kieffer.

 Leske provided the committee with an evaluation rubric to help the committee members fairly evaluate candidates and focus on a predetermined set of standards important to ECU and the surrounding community. The rubric includes criteria taken from the leadership profile produced by the group in earlier meetings. Examples of some of the criteria include interpersonal skills, administrative and academic experience, and a commitment to diversity.

 Witt/Kieffer will accept applicants through Feb. 12; however, search committee members will begin reviewing resumes immediately. Committee members were tasked with bringing forward five to seven resumes they feel deserve further discussion with the larger group at the next meeting on Feb. 17. They hope to conduct a first round of interviews in early March.

 At the close of the meeting, Jones reviewed the timeline of the chancellor search process and noted they were still in line to have a recommendation to University of North Carolina system President-elect Margaret Spellings by the end of March or early April. Spellings will take office March 1.

 In addition to discussing the next steps in the selection process, the committee heard from UNC system leaders about statewide and national trends in higher education that should be on their radar as they search for the next leader of ECU.

 Chancellor Steve Ballard announced last year his plans to step down effective July 1. He has served as ECU's chancellor since 2004.

 Updates on the committee's progress will be posted at the chancellor search website, www.ecu.edu/chancellorsearch.


Steve Jones, head of the search committee and chair of the Board of Trustees, leads the discussion at the Jan. 28 Chancellor Search Committee meeting. Lucy Leske, senior partner of Witt/Kieffer, right, provided the committee with an evaluation rubric. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)