UMass Lowell Chancellor Search Committee seeks to begin interviews later this month.
Seeking to conduct interviews later in July
LOWELL -- July 1, 2015:The search committee charged with assisting the UMass Board of Trustees in finding the next chancellor of UMass Lowell today approved a job description and began the process of identifying potential candidates.
The committee was formed last month to seek a successor to Marty Meehan, who today officially took office as president of the five-campus University of Massachusetts system.
Last week, members of the committee held open forums at UMass Lowell to solicit input from alumni, community and business leaders, and the UMass Lowell campus community about the leadership qualities they desire in the next chancellor and about the future direction of the campus. That feedback was incorporated into the job description, which the University formally refers to as a "position profile."
"The turnout was outstanding at the open forums and the commitment that people have to UMass Lowell was evident,'' said R. Norman Peters, co-chairman of the search committee. "The themes were consistent - keep the momentum going and find a leader with a collaborative approach and an entrepreneurial spirit.''
The 24-member committee is working with the Boston-based executive recruitment firm, Isaacson, Miller to identify potential candidates and is advertising the position in national higher education publications.
Candidate interviews are scheduled to be held later this month.
John Pulichino,a UMass Lowell graduate and the search committee's other co-chair, said: "The chancellor search is moving in an expeditious fashion and the committee is committed to presenting finalist candidates to the Board of Trustees who personify excellence and have the skills and ability to continue to grow UMass Lowell in both quality and attainment.''
The position profile states that the University is seeking a chancellor who can:
- Define and articulate a vision for the future while strengthening and reinforcing the achievements of recent years
- Enhance the reputation and visibility of the University nationally
- Build a faculty for the future
- Strengthen research and interdisciplinary collaborations
- Champion commitment to student success
- Preserve the culture of collaboration and respect
- Maintain and strengthen a diverse community
- Strengthen and expand the University's involvement with the local community and its economic development
- Broaden and deepen the base of the University's financial resources
Under President Meehan's eight-year chancellorship, UMass Lowell achieved impressive gains. Enrollment grew 48 percent to more than 17,000 while selectivity and diversity increased; 10 new buildings opened, research more than doubled, and the University gained in national reputation. UMass Lowell is now ranked among the top in the nation for graduates' return on investment and is one of only six institutions in the country to advance in U.S. News & World Report's standings every year since 2010. The University's 27-spot climb during the last five-year period is among the fastest in the nation.
Contact: Ann Scales, 617-287-4084