Provost Search Committee Continues Work

In mid-March of this year, after having selected Dr. David Garland to serve as Interim Provost and after having asked me to chair the Search Committee to assist in identifying Dr. Elizabeth Davis’s successor, President and Chancellor Ken Starr announced the Provost Search Committee. The selection of this Committee was no mean feat, given that there were over 150 different people nominated by the university community to serve in this capacity. Among the many nominees who love Baylor dearly and serve her well, the following were named: six faculty members (Lori Baker, Elizabeth Corey, Jeremy Counseller, “Jimmy” Diaz-Granados, Heidi Hornik, and “Tommy” Kidd); two deans (Terry Maness and Dennis O’Neal); one executive council representative (Kevin Jackson); one staff person (Marjorie Ellis); and one student (Hannah Adams). In addition to these eleven, three individuals were selected to serve as ex-officio members of the Committee – Virginia DuPuy, representing Baylor alumni and the Waco community; David Harper, representing the Board of Regents; and John Whelan, representing Baylor Human Resources. Mr. Whelan is no longer working at Baylor and is therefore no longer serving on the Committee. He has not and will not be replaced. Last but most certainly not least, Judge Starr tapped his Deputy Chief of Staff, Jordan Hannah, to serve as Search Manager, and I am so pleased that he did. Indeed, Jordan and the entire Committee have been exemplary in their service. Even as nominations were being received and Committee selections were being made, I was engaging in conversation with various stakeholders– faculty, staff, students, senior administrators, regents, and alumni– regarding the desirable credentials, experiences, and qualities of our next chief academic officer. Additionally, during this time period, I, with the assistance of Human Resources, received proposals from and conducted interviews with executive search firms. After considerable consultation and deliberation, the decision was made to employ Storbeck/Pimentel to assist us with this all-important hire. After having been seated and charged by Judge Starr in early April, the Committee got busy working on a position specification, which was written in no small measure based upon the feedback that we had received from the Baylor family. This ten-page document, which outlines Baylor’s mission and strategic vision on the one hand and the role, responsibilities, opportunities, and qualities of the person we are seeking to hire on the other hand, was first posted on the Provost Search website in early June. (If you have yet to visit this website, please do so at www.baylor.edu/provost/search.) On the heels of the dissemination of the position specification, advertisements were placed in various print and media outlets in an attempt to inform others of this attractive opening and to develop a deep, diverse, and highly qualified candidate pool. Over the course of the summer, the search process heated up. Potential candidates were nominated and recruited. Additionally, the Search Committee, at its July and August meetings, deliberated over those individuals who have agreed to become candidates. At the present time, we have a prospect pool that numbers roughly 100. Other individuals have indicated for a variety of reasons that they cannot see their way clear to pursue this position at the present time. Thus far in our work we have received roughly 50 nominations from the Baylor community for this vital administrative role. This is a stellar start, but as Paul once said to the Thessalonians “do so more and more.” To nominate a candidate, please email me (Todd_Still@baylor.edu) or BaylorProvost@storbeckpimentel.com. In the first instance, our colleagues at Storbeck/Pimentel will contact potential candidates. Meanwhile, if you have any input or feedback to offer whatsoever regarding the search process, please do not hesitate to be in touch with me, Jordan Hannah, or any other committee member. In addition to having no small number of potential candidates, we currently have several viable provostial candidates from across the country as well as a few international applicants. Our present candidate pool includes sitting presidents, provosts, vice-provosts, and deans from reputable, and even storied, institutions of higher education. At this point in the process, we continue to recruit and cultivate candidates. Later this semester, your Committee will select semi-finalists for this strategic position and will conduct off-campus interviews. Having done so, we will select and recommend a slate of finalists to Judge Starr. Thereafter, we will seek to assist our President and Chancellor as he sees fit in the vetting and hiring of our next Executive Vice President and Provost. It is our eager expectation and hope that we will conclude the search for our next academic leader before year-end and will be able to introduce our chief academic officer to Baylor Nation in early 2015. We anticipate this person will assume her/his duties on June 1, 2015 – one year from the time Dr. Davis vacated the post. To conclude, please know that it is your Committee’s intent and commitment to discover and to recommend academically accomplished and administratively skilled candidates who are able to offer energetic, visionary leadership and who are able to articulate with clarity and care Baylor’s mission as a leading institution of Christian higher education – one that strives for academic excellence and very high research activity while being thoroughly, thoughtfully, faithfully, and intentionally Christian. To this noble end, we solicit your input, appreciate your support, and covet your prayers.