Collegiate Times

Virginia Tech's College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences released the names of four finalists in their search for a new dean last week with the plan to announce their decision as soon as possible.

This process has been in play since last September, when a committee of 20 distinguished faculty was chosen to assist Mark McNamee, elected chair, university provost and vice president of academic affairs, with the decision.

"The provost asked each of us if we would accept a position (as committee member), and it is an honor to be a part of this committee," said university distinguished English professor, Nikki Giovanni.

The committee held its first meeting on Sept. 21, 2006, to develop the search criteria and outline the qualifications for the Dean position, which is currently held by Jerry Niles. The four final candidates were selected from a slew of recommendations that came from both within and outside the university, however, unlike Niles, none of these finalists come from inside Tech.

Last week, Monday, Jan. 23 and Friday, Jan. 26, two of the candidates came to Tech to participate in interviews, meet faculty and staff, and give presentations at an open forum. Today and this coming Friday, the other two finalists will be visiting the campus to do the same.

"We still need to have time for feedback forum the committee, so it could be another week to ten days before we decide to make an offer. Then, we also have to negotiate with the candidate, which we like to do very privately and very quickly, but it would take anywhere from a few weeks to a month depending on how things progress," McNamee said.

"The committee will get to make our recommendation to the provost who then passes that on to the president, so everyone gets some input," Giovanni said. "I think they will all do a great job, so really what we're looking for is the best mix."

The first candidate, Dennis Kivlighan, Jr., is currently the interim dean for the College of Education and a Professor of Counseling and Personnel Services at the University of Maryland College Park.

The other candidates include Jean Ann Linney, the current vice president and associate provost, and a professor of psychology at the University of Notre Dame, and Robert Pratt, the head of the department of history and professor of history at the University of Georgia.

Finally, there is Sue Ott Rowlands, the interim dean or the college of arts and sciences and a theatre professor at the University of Toledo.

It is unsure what the outcome will be.

"I can honestly say I have absolutely no idea what the outcome will be. I get a very clear sense that (all of the candidates) are very interested and enthusiastic about the position, and we are confident that they will all be impressed with Virginia Tech as well, so I have a completely open mind," McNamee said. "As outlined by the committee, the responsibilities of the position include helping to advance the college vision; providing entrepreneurial leadership for the growth and development of the college's academic, research, and outreach programs; creating a climate, organizational structure, and managerial leadership team that encourages all members of the community to contribute productively to our goals; developing successful fundraisers; helping to continually enhance the diversity of the faculty, staff, researchers, and student body; and working to develop and maintain productive relationships with external constituencies."

At the forum last week, Kivlighan focused a lot on what he would bring to Tech as the new dean, acknowledging that he is not the only one who posses the qualities the search committee is looking for.

"After having met the others, I feel both humbled and pleased and a little intimidated by the quality of the candidates," Kivlighan said. "I think, at least from my perspective of whatever happens with this search, that you all will have a wonderful next dean for this college."

Niles was planning to retire early last year, but agreed to stay onboard until a solid replacement for the position is found. Now, he plans to make his last days at the school some time at the end of June 2007.

"Jerry graciously agreed to delay his planned retirement," McNamee said. "(He) is providing outstanding leadership for the college and he will be sorely missed."