Search for new Dean begins

After last week’s advisory committee, more student input is needed to further the process.

By John Rogers /// News Editor

On Wednesday, Sept. 9, a public forum was held in Gregg Pavilion in which students were given the opportunity to speak on their hopes and expectations for the next Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The meeting was led by the CAS Dean Search Advisory Committee in conjunction with Isaacson, Miller, a “national executive search firm.” There were seven students in attendance.

After Tuajuanda Jordan’s departure to St. Mary’s College last year, Lewis & Clark contracted Isaacson, Miller to search and recruit candidates for the open position. At present, Jerusha Detweiler-Bedell, associate professor of psychology, is the Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The firm plans to conduct their search both internally and externally, looking at outside candidates as well as the current faculty and administration of LC. According to the firm, a group of candidates will be selected by the spring of 2015.

During the meeting, the Search Advisory Panel, lead by its Chairperson Naiomi Cameron, posed questions to the students about what they wanted for the college and what kind of dean would make it happen. Responses were noted by Isaacson, Miller employees, who plan to use the feedback to better guide their search.

“What I want to see is someone who is here for the long term, committed to LC in the short run and the long run. Someone who wants to make their stamp truly last for the foreseeable future, with a student-first approach,” Jessica Rosenblatt (’17) said.

ASLC President Lincoln Boyd (’15) shared some of Jessica’s “student first” sentiment.

“We need someone who can maximize the academic experience of each student [and] who is going to be a presence on campus and off campus.” Boyd continued by stating that he hoped our future dean could “capture that academic rigor and place it on the national stage.”

Although the meeting seemed productive, with Isaacson, Miller gaining a helpful understanding of what the students wanted in their next Dean, some in attendance were frustrated.

“There were at least 50 seats, yet only six or seven students were there,” Boyd said. The poor attendance hurt the very purpose of the meeting, which was to better help Isaacson, Miller understand what the student body as a whole was looking for in candidates.

However, with the search just beginning, students still have an opportunity to give their input and help aid the search. A survey was sent via email to the entire student body on September 15. Any further comments can be directed to Chairperson Cameron personally via email.