Finding WVU’s next president

The search for West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee’s successor is officially underway. The committee tasked with finding the university’s next president has issued a 52-page leadership profile highlighting the post and just what the university is seeking in its 27th leader.
Consider this list of attributes included in the profile:
“Deep and abiding commitment to student success.”
“A track record of transparent decision-making that inspires trust … and reflects on-the-ground experience.”
“Commitment to WVU’s values with emphasis on academic freedom and cultivating a welcoming environment.”
“Deep appreciation for the state of West Virginia, Appalachia and WVU’s unique role within the state; genuine and active interest in becoming a member of the WVU community.”
“Empathy, integrity, transparency, curiosity, flexibility and a willingness to listen deeply and be responsive to community concerns.”
“Political acumen, with an ability to work across the ideological spectrum at both state and federal levels.”
“An understanding of the contemporary world of collegiate athletics.”
That’s a detailed list from the search committee. WVU’s next leader needs to be dynamic and also help to rebuild the university’s stature. The Academic Transformation undertaken last year — while necessary — still impacts the university’s reputation.
The next president and leadership team will have much work to do in that area.
“We expect to find a strong, passionate leader ready to embrace our Mountaineer spirit and demonstrate an unwavering dedication to fulfill our land-grant mission of bringing life-changing education, healthcare and prosperity to all West Virginians,” the leadership profile reads.
The new president is expected to be announced in the spring. The search committee has much work to do in meeting with candidates and finding the best possible finalists. The community needs to support their efforts.
One concern from the WVU Faculty Senate that we would echo is this: make the process as public and transparent as possible. We understand confidentiality has to be part of any executive leadership search process, but the president of WVU holds one of the most important and powerful positions in the state. Keeping the names of finalists secret — at a time, again, when the administration’s credibility has been called into question — only fuels the fire.
“We believe an open process would increase morale and trust,” WVU Faculty Senate chair Diana Davis said. “… After (the) Academic Transformation, it is difficult to trust others with our future.”
Let us hope the Faculty Senate’s concerns, while warranted, don’t lead to mistrust with the new president. That would be detrimental to the university’s future, as well.