Exceptional new leader sought for UMass Amherst

BOSTON -- The University of Massachusetts Amherst Chancellor Search Committee met today, February 25, to continue its candidate-review process and to prepare for the interview phase of the search.

"Thanks to the hard work of the members of this committee, the UMass Amherst chancellor search is progressing just as we had hoped and is on course to meet its goal of selecting finalists this spring," said Jennifer C. Braceras, the University of Massachusetts trustee chairing the search committee.

"This search has attracted outstanding candidates, and we therefore can expect that our flagship campus will soon welcome a truly exceptional new leader," Braceras added.

Today's meeting, the committee's sixth, 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 since the fall and is now nearing the candidate-interview stage.

The search committee's charge is to identify three or more finalists for the Amherst 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.

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