BOISE - The names of the top three contenders to lead the University of Idaho as its president will be released Tuesday, January 13, announced Jim Hammond, Vice President of the State Board of Education and Chairman of the Presidential Screening Committee.
"The release of the names of these outstanding candidates along with their biographies will help the public get to know these exceptional candidates. The Presidential Screening Committee sifted through nearly 70 applicants to narrow the field to three. We believe each of these individuals has the potential to lead the University of Idaho," Hammond said. "The Committee made their decision based on the extensive qualifications of the candidates, including their commitment to higher education, their experience with research institutions with a land grant mission and their proven leadership abilities."
Each of the candidates will visit University of Idaho campuses in Coeur d'Alene, Moscow, Boise and Idaho Falls the week of January 19. The candidates will meet with faculty and staff, alumni, campus groups, and there will be opportunities for the public to meet the candidates. Details of the candidates' schedules will be released by the University of Idaho and will be available on the Board's website January 14 at: .
The UI Presidential Screening Committee, which is comprised of representatives of the faculty, administration, staff, students, alumni, foundation, Board of Regents, the Idaho Legislature, and other stakeholders of the University, is responsible for recruiting and screening applicants, and performing preliminary reference checks. The Committee is dedicated to the University and its role in Idaho higher education. The Committee focused its search on candidates who are outstanding leaders in the higher education arena and have extensive experience with similar or larger land grant institutions. After the on-campus visits, the most qualified candidates will be forwarded to the State Board of Education, who will ultimately make the decision as to which candidate is hired for the position. The announcement of a new president for the University of Idaho is expected in late February or early March.
The search for a new president began this summer, after the resignation of President Robert Hoover, the 16th president in University of Idaho's history, who served as president since 1996. Mr. Gary Michael, former Chairman of the Board and CEO of Albertson's, Inc., is the Interim President.
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