The University of Massachusetts Amherst Chancellor Search Committee held its fifth business meeting today, February 4,gathering in Amherst to review the candidate pool and to discuss next steps in the process.
"It is gratifying to see that truly outstanding candidates are seeking the Amherst chancellorship. We are very pleased with way this search is progressing and believe that the search is on schedule and on course to culminate with the selection of finalist candidates of the highest caliber," said Jennifer C. Braceras, the University of Massachusetts trustee who is chairing the search committee.
"The search has gathered strong momentum, and I expect a very successful conclusion," Braceras added.
Most of today's meeting was conducted in closed session, in accordance with state law that allows the names of candidates and candidate-related deliberations to remain private until finalists are selected.
The committee, assisted by the executive recruitment firm Isaacson, Miller, has been building the candidate pool over the past four months and has now begun to focus on candidates of particular interest. The committee is expected to conduct preliminary interviews sometime next month.
The search committee's charge is to identify three or more finalists for the chancellorship. The goal is to have finalists selected this spring. Next steps in the process would then include the finalists making campus visits, and University of Massachusetts President Jack M. Wilson recommending a candidate to the University's Board of Trustees, which would then vote on the President's recommendation.
The committee's next meeting is scheduled for February 25.
Dr. Thomas W. Cole Jr. is serving as interim Chancellor of the University's flagship campus until a permanent Chancellor is selected.
Contact: Robert P. Connolly
617-287-7073