Submitted on behalf of James W. Nolan Jr. ’77, chair of
the Presidential Search Committee
As chair of the Presidential Search Committee, I am very pleased to
announce that we have selected the firm of Spencer Stuart to assist us in
that search. Additionally, the committee and the newly identified
search firm are planning a series of meetings on campus during the
month of April that will start to engage the entire IC community in
this very important process.
The Board of Trustees selected Spencer Stuart because of their breadth of experience in working with highly regarded academic institutions, their commitment to active engagement of the campus community in developing the search prospectus, and their understanding of the higher education landscape.
The board undertook an extensive vetting process, with Spencer Stuart chosen from among a group of five firms. We were especially impressed with their track record in presenting a diverse slate of prospective presidential candidates, and their flexibility in meeting the individualized needs of their higher education clients.
Serving as principals for Ithaca College on the search will be Michele Haertel, who leads the higher education practice for Spencer Stuart, and Mary Gorman, one of the leading higher education search consultants in the industry. Their most recent searches have successfully placed the new presidents of Colgate University and Middlebury College.
Mary and Michele will hold their first meeting with the search committee on campus on April 6. During this meeting we will develop a strategy for how best to engage with all of the college’s stakeholders as the search moves forward.
They are also currently planning to hold meetings with campus constituencies on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 19–20. A specific schedule and format for those meetings will be announced shortly. In addition, the committee and consultants will be meeting with the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees in the month of May.
Input from the IC community will be critical in developing the prospectus that will be used to identify suitable candidates for the search committee’s consideration. For those unable to attend the on-campus sessions, Spencer Stuart will also be creating an opportunity to provide input electronically.
I am personally honored to have this opportunity to work with my very competent colleagues on the search committee along with so many others—students, faculty, staff, and alumni—as we seek the best possible person to lead this great institution.
As a search committee, we’re committed to providing you with periodic updates, so look for additional details to be announced soon. You can always find information as well on the presidential search website.
Sincerely,
Jim Nolan ’77
Chair, Presidential Search Committee