2008 Woodie Awards
Forums held to find new provost
Megan Henderson
Issue date: 9/10/07 Section: News
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Community forums were held Sept. 6 to give faculty, staff and students opportunities to convey important qualities they want to see in the new provost. The forums were held at various locations on the Hospital Hill and Volker campuses.
Representatives from Greenwood and Associates, Inc., the search firm hired to identify qualified applicants, were present to hear suggestions and oversee the discussions.
Betty Asher of Greenwood and Associates said turnout varied at the forums, and all attendees were faculty or staff. No students were present at any forums, according to Asher.
She spoke with groups about the professional and personal characteristics they look for in the new provost. Asher also asked attendees what they want to see accomplished by the new provost in the next three to five years.
"[This information] is useful to see patterns and themes from various groups to help the committee make their decision," Asher said.
Bonnie Postlethwaite, associate dean of Libraries, expressed the qualities she wants to see in the new provost.
"The provost needs to have a broader view of the university and its components," she said. "[The provost] needs to be able to balance administration and academics. [He/she] needs to have vision and understand where academia is going."
Susan T. Masih, health physicist and radiation safety officer, has worked at the university since 1994. She expressed hopes the new provost will know the importance of staff on campus.
"The staff has a lot to offer," she said. "If you support the staff, they are better able to support you."
Masih said the strength of UMKC is its diversity and the new provost must appreciate this.
"We have a lot of really bright people on campus. If you can find someone who [sees] that, you will enhance the university," she said. "There are lots of interesting things that can happen here."
Those attending the forum agreed the position description, responsibilities and professional qualifications listed on the provost search website were appropriate. These can be found at www.umkc.edu/provost/committees/provostsearch.
Representatives from Greenwood and Associates, Inc., the search firm hired to identify qualified applicants, were present to hear suggestions and oversee the discussions.
Betty Asher of Greenwood and Associates said turnout varied at the forums, and all attendees were faculty or staff. No students were present at any forums, according to Asher.
She spoke with groups about the professional and personal characteristics they look for in the new provost. Asher also asked attendees what they want to see accomplished by the new provost in the next three to five years.
"[This information] is useful to see patterns and themes from various groups to help the committee make their decision," Asher said.
Bonnie Postlethwaite, associate dean of Libraries, expressed the qualities she wants to see in the new provost.
"The provost needs to have a broader view of the university and its components," she said. "[The provost] needs to be able to balance administration and academics. [He/she] needs to have vision and understand where academia is going."
Susan T. Masih, health physicist and radiation safety officer, has worked at the university since 1994. She expressed hopes the new provost will know the importance of staff on campus.
"The staff has a lot to offer," she said. "If you support the staff, they are better able to support you."
Masih said the strength of UMKC is its diversity and the new provost must appreciate this.
"We have a lot of really bright people on campus. If you can find someone who [sees] that, you will enhance the university," she said. "There are lots of interesting things that can happen here."
Those attending the forum agreed the position description, responsibilities and professional qualifications listed on the provost search website were appropriate. These can be found at www.umkc.edu/provost/committees/provostsearch.
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