LEADERSHIP SEARCH: Committee pinpoints qualifications for future chancellor
The East Carolina University Chancellor Search Committee met Friday at the Main Campus Student Center. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)
The members of the East Carolina University Chancellor Search Committee met at the Main Campus Student Center Friday and discussed the results of the survey and listening sessions conducted over the previous month. The committee also discussed the next steps in the process, including where and how to advertise the position.
Ying Zhou, associate provost of institutional planning, assessment and research, said 4,421 survey responses were received. Nearly 60% of respondents identified as ECU alumni, and about 33% of the university’s faculty and 16% of students shared their views by participating in the survey.
Ying Zhou, associate provost of institutional planning, assessment and research, presents survey results to the committee.
The survey identified desired characteristics for the university’s next chancellor, including commitment to its mission, integrity, good judgment and decision-making skills; and the top priorities for the new leader — academic excellence and student recruitment, retention and success. Survey respondents also identified access and affordability as the university’s greatest strength by a wide margin.
Similar views of ECU’s strengths, the challenges facing the university and the desired characteristics for the next chancellor were expressed during several public listening sessions and through the feedback form on the chancellor search website.
“There was page after page of characteristics, and nobody’s going to be able to do all of those,” said Dr. Beverly King, director of institutional research. “So one of the best and strongest characteristics this person needs to have is to be able to establish a strong leadership team and surround yourself with people that are going to be able to do all of that since one person cannot.”
The committee also reviewed the Leadership Profile, a document produced to market the university and the position to potential candidates. The 23-page document briefly outlines the university’s history, mission, achievements, rankings, and other facts and figures; and lists the desired qualifications and qualities the committee would like to see in those candidates. The committee voted to approve the document pending minor changes suggested by several members.
Finally, the committee discussed a preliminary advertising plan that includes ads in a variety of print and online publications with an emphasis on higher education.
Recruitment for ECU’s next chancellor will continue through mid-March, with initial candidate interviews targeted for April, said committee chair Vern Davenport. The goal is to have a permanent chancellor in place by fall 2020 but there is no strict deadline for the search.
Related: SEARCH COMMITTEE BEGINS TASK OF FINDING NEXT CHANCELLOR
Committee chair Vern Davenport thanked the committee for its work so far and said the search process in on track.