Help pick a predecessor
Chancellor search isn’t
a closed case yet
There is an opportunity for the university
community to really influence the future of the University
of Alaska Anchorage.
Chancellor E. Lee Gorsuch is retiring,
after 28 years of service and the search for a new chancellor
is in its late stages. Two candidates have already visited
the campus and the next two will be on campus this week.
Students, faculty, staff and community members
have the opportunity to meet the candidates and give the
search committee their input. Now is the time to attend
the forums, check out the chancellor search Web site and
even e-mail the candidates with questions.
The more people give input to the committee,
the better informed the its decision will be. The committee
will use information gathered from open forums to make a
recommendation to President Hamilton, who, with the Board
of Regents’ approval, will select the next chancellor.
Faculty, staff and students are encouraged
to attend as many of the appropriate on-campus forums as
possible. Feedback forms will be available at each forum
and can be turned in at that time. The forms will also be
available online.
The committee asks that the UAA community
evaluate the candidates based on the following criteria:
1. Senior level experience in the administration
of a comprehensive university.
2. Experience working with university, state,
business and community constituencies.
3. Leadership ability, including vision,
institutional planning experience and decision-making style.
4. Academic values and understanding of student
learning.
5. Effective communication skills, public
presence and speaking ability.
6. Does this candidate meet your expectations
for someone in the position of chancellor of the university?
The next chancellor will be filling the shoes
of a man who has a long history with this university. Gorsuch
started his career at UAA in 1976 as director of the Institute
of Social and Economic Research. He also took on the role
of dean of the School of Public Affairs in 1988 and then
chancellor in 1994.
The new chancellor has hard shoes to fill;
taking on a university campus with 146 degrees and certificates
through academic, career and technical programs.
The chancellor’s vision for the campus
is put into action. What he or she sees in the university’s
future is likely to occur sometime down the road. For example,
when Gorsuch became chancellor he saw the future of UAA
as a more traditional campus with a vibrant student life.
In 1998, new housing was built to accommodate 500 more students
in an effort to create a stronger sense of community on
campus.
Each new chancellor will have his or her
own goals for the institution, we need to select a chancellor
who has goals that are in tune with ours.
So get our there, talk to the candidates
and help the committee make an informed decision.
For more information on the chancellor search
and to view the candidates’ curriculum vitae check
out www.uaa.alaska.edu/chancellor/search.
The chancellor’s
vision for the campus is put into action. What he or she
sees in the university’s future is likely to occur
sometime down the road. |
