Ratified August 18, 2016
Search Objective
The objective for the WSU Presidential Search and Screening Advisory Committee (S-SAC) is to present the WSU Board of Trustees one or more highly qualified and acceptable candidates from whom to choose as Wright State University’s Seventh President.
Guiding Principles
- The S-SAC will conduct an open and transparent search recognizing the high need to respect the privacy of potential candidates to ensure a successful search.
- The S-SAC will ensure its process is diverse, wide ranging and inclusive of a variety of internal and external constituencies’ thoughts and opinions.
- The S-SAC will conduct its work in an impartial, ethical, and respectful manner.
- S-SAC members will acknowledge and support shared commitments (attached).
- S-SAC members will be engaged in the process.
- S-SAC will track search expenses and report costs to Board of Trustees.
Search Calendar
The S-SAC will establish a calendar and timeline of meeting and events regarding the search. The calendar will consider the academic year’s activities to ensure faculty, staff and student inclusion in the search process. The calendar will be published on the Presidential Search website.
Four phases identified are:
- Preparation phase
- Learning phase
- Search phase
- Selection & Onboarding phase
In addition, S-SAC members will be made aware of work group meetings whenever possible; notification will be made via weekly updates from the Chair.
Meetings and Events
The S-SAC will meet as often as necessary to conduct a thorough and effective search. A schedule of meetings will be developed and published on the Presidential Search website – WSU’s search firm partner will help the committee develop a schedule of meetings based upon their experience with searches of this type.
With a large committee it may not be possible for every member to attend every meeting. Notes and minutes will be kept for review by members unable to attend meetings.
S-SAC meetings will be open to the public unless a topic calls for discussion in executive session as permitted by Ohio law.
Communications
- Communicating with S-SAC Members
The SSAC Chairman will send weekly updates to SSAC members.
SSAC members will be notified of any communication regarding committee activities before such communications are officially released.
- Communicating with the WSU Community
The SSAC will communicate proactively and periodically with the WSU community (faculty, staff and students). The primary source of information will be the WSU Presidential Search website.
- Communicating with the Raider Country
The SSAC will also communicate proactively with Raider Country. In addition to the Presidential Search website, the SSAC will send regular press updates of search progress and key events.
Use of Search Firm
The S-SAC will employ the services of a professional search firm experienced in higher education to assist in the search process. The use of a qualified search firm will assist the committee in identifying top candidates who may not otherwise express interest, provide objective assessment and vetting of candidates, and will assist the committee in assessing other relevant presidential search best practices. The S-SAC will emphasize its desire to employ a firm that has a demonstrated track record for successfully recruiting a diverse pool of candidates. The use of search firms for university presidential searches is common and an industry best practice.
Presidential Profile
Perhaps the most important task before the S-SAC is working in partnership with the search firm to develop a robust presidential profile that describes the qualities most important in WSU’s 7th president. A sample of profiles from other universities is included in the S-SAC information package distributed to S-SAC members. The S-SAC will recommend the final presidential profile to the Board of Trustees for approval.
Campuses and Community Outreach
The SSAC will make a concerted effort to hear from the wide variety of university constituents regarding the search. Campus and community outreach may include:
- Presidential Search website: Interested individuals will be able to submit nominations and comment on desired presidential qualifications on the Presidential Search website. Comments and nominations submitted via the Presidential Search website will be subject to public records requests.
- University Survey: An internet survey seeking input into presidential qualifications will be emailed to all members of faculty, students, and staff.
- Campus Forums: One or more “town hall”-style public forums will be held internally for campus faculty, staff and students to seek input into presidential qualifications.
- Public Outreach: The SSAC will identify community groups external to the University from whom input is desired into the search process. “Listening Committees” of SSAC members will meet with leaders of these groups to discuss issues related to the search and presidential qualifications.
- Presidential Symposium: A presidential symposium may be held for the SSAC to learn from a panel of current and/or retired Presidents of public research universities. The purpose of the symposium is to learn what it’s like to serve as a university president and gain a perspective on the challenges faced in public higher education from professionals who have served in such positions.
Work Groups
The S-SAC will conduct its business using a variety of work groups. Work-groups will be appointed by the S-SAC chair, who will first seek volunteers. Volunteers with previous experience in various aspects of the search will be preferred but not required.
Examples of work groups include:
RFP Work Group
- Responsible for finalizing the search firm RFP, interviewing finalists, and recommending a search firm to the SSAC.
- Timeline: Identify a vendor partner by August 31, 2016
Inclusion/Community Work Group
- Responsible for identifying internal and external audiences and/or key stakeholders to consult with and obtain views about what is needed in WSU’s President. This committee will also design interview methods and tools for receiving feedback.
- Timeline: By end of October 2016
MarketingCollateral Material Work Group:
- Responsible for creating or coalescing necessary materials to describe Wright State University to prospective candidates.
- Timeline: TBD with Search Firm
Sub-Committees
The S-SAC will appoint two important sub-committees to assist with transition-in and transition out activities. A sub-committee is different from a work group because it may include members who are not part of the S-SAC. Members of sub-committees will be appointed by the Chair.
Two sub-committees will be appointed:
Transition-In Committee
- Responsible for planning activities related to introducing the successful candidate to the WSU and Dayton communities. This committee may also consist of other University employees who are non-SSAC members.
- Timeline: TBD once candidate is known
Transition-Out Committee
- Responsible for planning activities related to recognizing and honoring Dr. Hopkins for his dedication and commitment to the WSU community.
- Timeline: Spring 2017
Sub-committees will provide a verbal report to the full committee at each meeting as to their progress.
Historical Record
The S-SAC will keep a historical record of the presidential search via notes from meetings, meeting minutes, etc. A search historian will be named to coordinate publication of a search history at the conclusion of the process.
Wright State University Presidential Search and Screening Advisory Committee Members
- Douglas A. Fecher, Chair (Board of Trustees)
- Jay Albayyari (Council of Deans)
- Mary Ellen Ashley (President’s Cabinet)
- Dawn Banker (Classified Staff)
- Brian Boyd (Faculty)
- Jeff Brock (Community Leader)
- Eloise Broner (Board of Trustees)
- Rebecca Cole (President’s Cabinet)
- Misty Cox (Administrative Staff)
- Deb Downing (Alumni Association)
- Debbie Feldman (Community Leader)
- LaTrelle Jackson (Faculty)
- Burhan Kawosa (Faculty)
- Jordan Large (Student)
- John Lyman (WSU Foundation)
- Carol Loranger (Faculty)
- C.D. Moore (Board of Trustees)
- Gerry Petrak (WSU Retirees)
- Grace Ramos (Board of Trustees)
- Jeff Brock (Community Leader)
- Lukas Wenrick (Student)
- Anthony Whitmore (Community Leader)
- LaPearl Logan –Winfrey (Council of Deans)
- Mary Campbell-Zopf (Community Leader)
Administrative Support
The SSAC will have access to university staff and officials to provide administrative support and advice. The following officials make up the initial administrative support team:
- Mark Anderson – Director of Web Development and Strategy, Office of Marketing
- Matt Boaz –Director, Equity & Inclusion
- Amanda Baker – Graduate Student
- Larry Chan - Vice President for Legal Affairs & General Counsel
- Gheretta Harris – Executive Director, Business Services Administration
- Shari Mickey-Boggs - Associate Vice President & Chief Human Resource Officer
- Bob Mihalek – Assistant Director of Communications
- Robert J. Sweeney - Executive Vice President & Secretary to the Board
- Others as may be necessary
