Search continues for V.P. of student development

Since the departure of Dr. Robert Bonfiglio, the position has not had someone to fill it permanently. The number of applicants for the position has been narrowed down from 100 to 7. Candidates will be on campus during April and a decision will be made soon after.

by Benjamin Lunn editor in chief

The quest for a new and permanent Vice President of Student Development is nearly completed. The search committee has narrowed down the nearly I 00 applicants to a mere seven (with one alternate).

Since the departure of Dr. Robert Bonfiglio, former vice president of student development, the position has been without a permanent administrator to fill it. For the past year, Paul Weaver has worked as acting dean of students. By the end of the year, however, the campus will welcome a new member into its midst to fulfill the position. The applicants were required to have studies in student personnel administration, demonstrate an ability to effectively run student development, have experience on a residential campus and have a history of working collaboratively working with faculty on co-curriculum activities. In addition, it is vitally necessary that the applicant have extremely strong communication, leadership, and organiza- • tional skills. A Ph.D. is preferred but not necessary.

Out of the 100 applicants that filed with a consulting firm, only 19 resumes ended up on the table for consideration. After a lengthy analysis of the candidates, that 19 has been narrowed to eight semifinalists. There are seven primary choices with one altemat~. l •

On Saturday, April 1, phone interviews will be conducted to further narrow the choices down to three to five who will actually visit the school and its students for a two day interview face to face. From those few, the final choice will be made.

The members of the search committee include Shirley Dixon, coordinator of diversity initiatives and student liaison for service learning, Barbara Evans, a graduate student in the masters education program, Mary Theresa Fosko, director of human resources, Dr. Jonnie Guerra, vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Janet Lohmann, acting chair for the sociC1!0gydepartment, Chad May, a senior math and history major, Dr. David Petkosh, assistant professor of education, Dr. Leonard Norman Primiano, coordinator of the seminar program and Dr. Maria Rippon, assistant professor of Spanish.

May is confident that the committee will find the best possible candidate for the position,

The committee will be looking for a candidate that is willing to work with Guerra to enhance the partnership between Student Development and Academic Affairs here. In addition, the committee is searching for a candidate who will bring new ways to integrate the students in the decision-makmg ll[l('.-as, ~:; weii as be sensitive to the needs of the non-traditional age students and commuting students, not just the traditional age residents.

Guerra stated that although it is impossible to tell who will be the right fit for the job without a personal interview, on paper all of the candidates are excellent for the position. "We had a very difficult time making the cut. We could easily have added another four to the semifinalists."

Candidates will come to campus for two days to interview in person and to meet the campus community. The dates have already been arranged to bring the prospective administrators onto campus. and th.; ~rudent body is urged to come out and meet them. Candidates will come on April 11-12, 13-14, 17-18, 25-26 and 27-28.