The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
New panel to choose president of UConn
44-member advisory committee selected to lead the search
STORRS — The University of Connecticut Board of Trustees on Wednesday named a 44-member Advisory Search Committee to help pick the next University of Connecticut resident.
Thomas Kruger, the board’s chairman, will lead the search committee for UConn’s 16th president.
“Our goal was to ensure that the advisory committee is as broad-based and diverse as possible, reflecting UConn Nation’s many stakeholders and constituencies,” Kruger said in a written statement. “The views of every member will be
considered as each brings their own unique perspective and experiences to the table. Leadership matters a great deal at an institution of this size and complexity, and the president we name will have an enormous impact on the university and its future.”
UConn President Susan Herbst announced shortly after commencement in May she will be leaving the job at the end of June 2019.
A recent Chronicle of Higher Education report said Herbst was the 21st highest paid public research university president in the nation. In 2016-17, she is said to have earned $823,907, which included a base pay of $627,716, a $40,000 bonus and other compensation.
The committee will use Isaacson, Miller Inc., an executive search firm, to support the search process. It is expected to spend the summer and early fall building a pool of candidates. The firm will also hold forums for faculty, staff and students in September.
In early August, the university will launch a website dedicated to the search that will include contact information for the search firm for questions, nominations and applications.
The advisory committee will meet shortly to discuss the proposed search timeline and the ideal qualifications, qualities and experience of potential candidates. It will begin interviewing candidates in the fall. The ultimate pick will be made by the Board of Trustees in consultation with both the outgoing and incoming governor.
Kruger stated that the goal would be to name the next president in late 2018 or early 2019.
Other trustees on the advisory committee include Lawrence McHugh, chairman emeritus of the board, along with Andy Bessette, Thomas Ritter, Denis Nayden, Andrea Dennis-LaVigne, Sanford Cloud and Shari Cantor.
Alumni representatives include Daniel Toscano, foundation board chairman, and Mark Shenkman, former foundation board chairman.
University deans will be represented by Gladis Kersaint of the Neag School of Education, Kent Holsinger of the graduate school, Kazem Kazerounian of the School of Engineering, and Bruce Liang of the School of Medicine
Staff include Hartford Regional Campus Director Mark Overmyer-Velazquez, General Counsel Nicole Gelston, Athletics Director David Benedict, Assistant Vice Provost Maria Martinez, and Joanne Lombardo of governmental relations.
Faculty include Mark Boyer, Micki McElya, David Yalof, Michael Bradford, Rajesh Lalla, Juan Salazar, Brenton Graveley, Cathy Schlund-Vials, Angela Rola, Sulin Ba, Mei Wei, Kevin Claffey, Carol Polifroni, William Garrity, Hedley Freake, Carol Atkinson Palombo, Pam Bramble, Nancy Bull, Gary English, Jaci Van Heest, Debra Kendall and Veronica Makowsky.
Students on the committee include undergraduate Student President Ama Appiah, and graduate student Mary Bugbee.
Also appointed to the group is Mansfield Town Manager Derrik Kennedy, who is also a UConn alumni.