Penn State officially begins search for next president

• By Matt DiSanto/WPSU

(State College) — After collecting feedback for months, Penn State is officially searching for its next president.

The university’s search can begin now that it developed an official “leadership profile.” The Presidential Recruitment and Selection Committee and an executive search firm used community input and more than 14,000 survey responses to outline specific attributes for presidential candidates.

The profile says “critical capabilities” for the next Penn State president include strategic acumen, strong leadership skills and the ability to build organizational capacity. Experience leading a complex organization, making good financial decisions, and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion are also listed.

Board of Trustees chair Matt Schuyler said the university’s preferred candidate would continue moving Penn State’s commitments to research and education forward.

“The ideal candidate will be dedicated to supporting student success and faculty and staff achievement, while continuing to build on our commitment to access and affordability, elevating our research profile, and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion across our campus communities,” Schuyler said.

A 19-member Presidential Recruitment and Selection Committee will lead Penn State’s search. The group is mostly made up of trustees and only three faculty members. Faculty have complained that they don’t have enough say in the hiring.

The search committee will vet candidates and recommend finalists to the Board of Trustees.

Community members can nominate candidates by sending an email containing the individual’s name, contact information, and background. Penn State said it’s received more than 1,800 nominations to date.

More information on the selection process is available on the Board of Trustees’ website.