Western’s Presidential Search Advisory Committee received considerable input from faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members this fall about important qualifications and characteristics in Western’s next president. The committee sought feedback through open forums and online surveys. The online surveys in particular received more than 500 responses.
In June, President Bruce Shepard announced his retirement effective at the end of the 2015-16 academic year, and the trustees are conducting a search for his successor. The trustees hope to appoint Western’s next president in March 2016.
The Presidential Search Advisory Committee, which reflects a broad cross-section of the Western community, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, friends and other stakeholders, developed a list of qualifications and characteristics the next president should possess. After receiving the committee’s report, the trustees adopted criteria to be applied by the committee in evaluating and interviewing candidates.
Then, the committee will submit to the trustees a list of all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications along with the committee’s unranked recommendation of three to five candidates for the board to consider inviting for final interviews.
Keep track of the progress at Western’s Presidential Search website: www.wwu.edu/presidentialsearch.