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Appalachian State University’s Chancellor Search Committee Selects Chancellor Search Consultant

Sept. 16, 2013. Appalachian State University’s Chancellor Search Committee has selected Baker & Associates, with offices in Winston-Salem and Atlanta, to assist in recruiting and screening of candidates to succeed Kenneth E. Peacock, who announced his plans to step down once a successor is named. 

Jerry H. Baker, the president of the firm, is a native of North Carolina and a veteran executive search professional with more than 37 years of experience in the field. He also has significant experience in recruiting leaders for institutions of higher education in North Carolina and across the nation. HIs clients in recent years include North Carolina State University (Randy Woodson selected as Chancellor), University of North Carolina-Greensboro (Linda Brady selected as chancellor), Western Carolina University (David Belcher selected as chancellor) and The University of North Carolina Board of Governors (Erskine Bowles selected as president of the UNC System).

“The university attracted several excellent candidates, all with strong national reputations, to serve as consultants in this most important endeavor,” said Board of Trustees Chair Michael A. Steinback, who also chairs the search committee. “We are very pleased to have someone of Jerry Baker’s experience, knowledge of the national higher education landscape, and understanding of Appalachian and North Carolina, as a valued partner in this process. He and his team will be heavily involved along with the committee in listening to campus and community input, recruiting outstanding candidates and advising the committee throughout the search.

The search committee also announced its schedule of six forums to be conducted on the university’s main campus. Dates, times and locations are posted on the official website for the search at http://chancellorsearch.appstate.edu. Forums are currently scheduled as follows:

Friday, Sept. 13

4-5:30 p.m., College of Fine & Applied Arts Forum, Valborg Theatre

Wednesday, Sept. 25

2:30-4:30 p.m., Reich College of Education Forum, Attic Window Room, Plemmons Student Union

5:30-7 p.m., Student Forum, Linville Falls Room, Plemmons Student Union   

7:30-9:30 p.m., Boone/Watauga Community Forum, Room 114 Belk Library and Information Commons

Friday, Sept. 27

 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Hayes School of Music Forum, Room 225 Broyhill Music Center

 3:30-5:30 p.m., Faculty/Staff Forum, I.G. Greer Auditorium

Forums are designed to provide multiple opportunities for faculty, staff, students and community members to communicate directly with members of the search committee. Each forum will be open to the public, but will focus on input from the indicated constituency. 

Audiences will be asked to identify challenges and opportunities that the university is expected to face in the future, and leadership characteristics that they want to see in the next chancellor to best meet those challenges and opportunities. All interested parties are encouraged to attend.