Specialized Resources
Dear members of the Connecticut College community,
We are writing with an update on the presidential search process following our most recent meeting on Oct. 26. As you know, we launched the public phase of the search on Oct. 25 with the publication of the presidential leadership profile, which we are pleased to report is generating a good deal of interest. Although the final phase of the search is not yet upon us, we have begun discussing that phase of the process, including in-person interviews with finalists, which we expect to take place in February 2024.
To expand the number and variety of perspectives on short-list candidates and to give candidates a broader sense of our community, we have decided to increase the number of participants in the final stage of the search to include 18 invited interviewers -- six each from the student body, staff and faculty, in addition to members of the Board of Trustees Executive Committee and senior administrators who report directly to the president.
Between now and Nov, 20, we will work with SGA, Staff Council and FSCC to identify students, staff members and faculty who can serve in this capacity during the final phase of the search. Invited interviewers will not formally join the search committee; rather, they will be asked to interview all finalists and to evaluate their credentials against the desired qualifications and attributes as stated on page 9 of the presidential leadership profile. Additionally, invited interviewers will be required to participate in anti-bias training and sign a non-disclosure agreement to protect the identity of candidates, who will likely occupy high-level leadership positions elsewhere. An unwavering commitment to confidentiality will be crucial to develop a strong pool of applicants for the position of our next president.
The process of selecting the 18 invited interviewers will be developed through our system of shared governance. Student representatives on the search committee will work with SGA, staff representatives will work with Staff Council and faculty representatives will work with FSCC to develop a process for identifying invited interviewers from each constituency. Each governing body may develop a process that is best suited to its constituency, whether it be by vote, nomination, application, appointment or other means. Feel free to reach out to your constituent governing body with ideas for how to best ensure a fair, equitable and representative selection process. Stay tuned for more information from SGA, Staff Council and FSCC as this process unfolds.
With sincere thanks for your continued input,
Debo Adegbile ’91
Seth Alvord ’93
Jessica Archibald ’95
Taylor Austin ’24
Anne Bernhard
Maria Boyce ’85
Sarah Cardwell
Chip Clothier ’79 P’10
Marisa Fariña ’93
Persephone Hall
Maged Hassan ’25
Andrea Lanoux
Suzuko Knott
Ariella Rotramel
Dwayne Stallings ’99