Mansfield University is on the hunt for a new university president.
With the help of the chancellor and the board of governors, candidates will be selected and interviewed over the next semester to ensure Mansfield University has a new president by Spring 2013.
In the meantime, interim president Allan Goldman will serve as president until a new candidate has been found.
Mansfield University was a Classical Seminary School that opened in 1857 after being chartered in 1854. Mansfield became a State Normal School in 1862 after a petition was accepted by the state.
In 1927, it became Mansfield State Teachers College and in 1960 it changed over to Mansfield State College. In 1983, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education was created and Mansfield State College became Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.
Mansfield is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Today, the university's education programs continue to thrive with more than 70 majors, nine graduate and seven associate degrees, as well as more than 60 minors offered through the arts and sciences and education, professional and graduate studies.
"Traditionally we have looked at academic individuals who are looking to make the next move in the process but the committee and, in fact, the trustees have been very specific about looking 'outside the box.' Possibly looking for someone who does not have an academic background but who could fit well into the academic setting. Going forward, we are in a much different environment in terms of higher education than we have been before. New models have been proposed by the Board of Governors and it may need a different point of view to help address this. Perhaps someone with a business, political, legal or even entrepreneurial background, as the committee is focused on broadening the pool instead of just looking for someone with an academic background. It could be a very different president this time around," said Ralph Meyer, chair for the president search committee.
"The council of trustees chooses who is going to chair the committee to find the new university president. I had experience as chair because I was the chair for the committee who picked President Loeschke. I knew the process, so instead of having to learn the process, I volunteered and accepted when they asked me to be the chair for the committee in this new search."
Once this process is complete, it moves to the Board of Governors for the selection procedure. The chancellor will submit the report to the Board of Governors with additional advice and notes. After that, recommended candidates will be interviewed.
"When we have it narrowed down to about seven to 10 we will then conduct what we call 'airport interviews,' where applicants will fly into a large airport and spend a few hours with the committee. This way it is convenient for the applicants where we can get them in and out instead of having to try to get them all to Mansfield," Meyer said. "From there we will choose the final three or four that we want to physically bring to Mansfield University where they will spend a few days getting to know the campus, students, faculty and possibly the community. After that we, as a committee, make our recommendation to the trustees for three of the candidates. Those recommendations will make it to the chancellor and the candidates will go to Harrisburg to meet with the Chancellor and the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors has the final decision in the end."
Due to the length of this process, the final candidates will likely be on campus this fall to meet students and faculty.
Watts is a student at Mansfield University.
