Greenwood / Asher Launches Chancellor Search for University of Arkansas
December 19, 2018 – Greenwood / Asher & Associates is helping to find the next chancellor for the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS). Former chancellor Paul Beran left the school in August to accept a position with the South Dakota Higher Education Board of Regents.
Margaret Tanner, associate provost for academic affairs at the Fort Smith campus and search committee chair, said the committee has discussed the process and the expected timeline for the search. “We hope to be able to advertise the job before we break for the holidays,” she said. “I will be working with some members of the search committee to finalize the documents.”
The search committee and search firm will work with Donald Bobbitt, president of the University of Arkansas System, who will ultimately make a recommendation to the University of Arkansas board. The trustees historically approve the president’s choice.
Greenwood / Asher will be paid about $84,000, with the money for their services coming from the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Foundation Inc., said UA System spokesman Nate Hinkel. The search firm will also receive a fee for indirect expenses.
The UA System also used Greenwood/ Asher to recruit Joe Steinmetz as chancellor for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and Andrew Rogerson as chancellor for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Ms. Tanner said the advisory panel that she leads has yet to finalize any plans but explained that the committee is seeking a highly qualified chancellor who can communicate well and cultivate relationships while moving the university forward academically. “We need someone who can help articulate our needs,” she said.
“I hope we have a diverse applicant pool,” Ms. Tanner said. “We aren’t focused on a certain region or person and I am sure the search firm will help us with this as well.”
Related: Why Universities Have Stepped Up Efforts to Involve Search Firms
“We will carefully take the effort and time needed to find the right fit to lead UAFS into the future,” Dr. Bobbitt said. “I’m grateful that all of the members identified to be a part of this search committee agreed to give their time to participate in this important process. I know they will each be integral pieces to the large puzzle of identifying well-qualified candidates for the position.”
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“We have a big task in front of us, but I’m confident that our committee will tackle it with diligence and enthusiasm,” said Ms. Tanner. “The chancellor position at UAFS is critical not only for the success of our campus but for the entire Fort Smith community. I know I speak for all our members in saying that we are excited to embark on this process.”
Related: Recruitment for Higher Education Leaders Heats Up and Shifts
UAFS, which originally opened in 1928 with an enrollment of 34 students, has 6,569 students this semester, according to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.
Recruiting University Leadership
Greenwood / Asher & Associates is a women-owned executive search firm with a diverse consulting team. Team members have extensive experience in executive search, consulting and training for education markets including elementary, secondary, higher education, university systems, campuses, and non-profit organizations including associations, service and cultural institutions. Greenwood / Asher recently led president searches for the University of Florida and Ohio State, among others. The firm is led by president Jan Greenwood and partner Betty Turner Asher.
Dr. Greenwood is a pioneer in U.S. higher education, having been the first woman president of a public four-year and graduate institution in Virginia. She is a licensed psychologist with experience as a psychometrist and with post-doctoral training in group methods. She brings these skill-sets to her work with clients, candidates and search committees.
Ms. Asher brings a unique background of leadership service at all levels of higher education institutions and systems to her work in executive search, consulting and training. This include experience in academics and student affairs and in public and private institutions.
Related: Academic Sector Pumping Big Fees Into Search Firms
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
