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Appalachian State University’s Chancellor Search Committee Meets for the First Time Tuesday Afternoon

by Madison V. Fisler

Aug. 28, 2013. The Appalachian State University Chancellor Search Committee, tasked with finding the new chancellor to succeed Chancellor Ken Peacock, met for the first time on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 1:30 p.m. 

The first search committee meeting took place on Tuesday afternoon.
The first search committee meeting took place on Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Madison V. Fisler

During the three and a half hour meeting, committee members were introduced to their task, familiarized with the rules and procedures of selecting a new chancellor and received advice and guidance from officials within the UNC system.

UNC President Tom Ross and associate vice president for human resources Ann Lemon were also in attendance, and were among the many who provided advice and guidance to the committee.

Ross urged the committee to “listen to the voices of faculty, staff, parents, alumni and the community,” during the duration of the search.

“Your voice is important to this campus,” Ross said.

He also gave characteristics which he felt would complete an ideal candidate. Ross indicated that an ideal candidate should possess the following:

  • unwavering integrity
  • the ability to adjust to the momentum of change
  • business skills to deal with budgeting issues
  • management skills
  • good communication skills
  • charisma and “people skills”
  • the ability to work as a partner with the UNC system
UNC System President Tom Ross Photo by Madison V. Fisler
UNC System President Tom Ross
Photo by Madison V. Fisler

The committee members were also introduced and familiarized with the process of chancellor selection within the UNC system. First, the committee will interview and select a search consultant from a myriad of firms both locally and nationally. After a consultant is selected, the recruitment process will begin, where advertising and screening of candidates will begin in ernest. Finally, three candidates will be selected from the pool of candidates to be given to President Tom Ross who will then submit the candidates to the Board of Governors for approval. The Board of Governors can either approve a candidate or reject the pool, beginning the process again. 

Ann Lemon encouraged the committee to conduct a “closed search,” where the names of candidates are not publicized. According to Lemon, this would ensure that potential candidates are not scared off from the position for fear of losing their current seat. 

Lemon also reminded the committee of their duty to confidentiality, citing the confidentiality agreement that each committee member signed before appointment to the committee.

The tentative calendar for September is as follows:

  • Sept. 12 – deadline for search firm interviews by the search committee
  • Sept. 19 – deadline for the search committee to select the search firm to undertake the task of selecting candidates
  • Sept. 24-25 – open evening forum (times to be announced)
  • Sept. 25 – open morning and afternoon forum (times to be announced)

The budget for the Chancellor search is $120,000 – $150,000. 

The final action of the meeting was to select three search firms to interview. The firms selected were:

  • Baker & Associates
  • R. William Funk & Associates
  • Storbeck/Pimentel and Associates

 Chancellor Ken Peacock announced his decision to step down as chancellor in April. For more information, read the story here