Gustavus Students, Faculty, and Staff,
As the air turns colder and the days grow shorter, the search for Gustavus Adolphus College’s 18th President is proceeding as planned. Much has happened since I last provided an update in early September. I encourage you to review that message, which includes background information and a detailed explanation of the Search Committee’s work and process.
Thanks to the good work of our consultants Loren Anderson and Shannon McCambridge at AGB Search throughout the summer and early fall, our pool of applicants was both deep and incredibly talented. While reviewing applications, every member of our Search Committee carefully evaluated each candidate’s materials with a particular focus on how their professional background, experiences, and vision for the future aligned with the leadership agenda and desired attributes for presidential leadership outlined in the College’s Presidential Search Profile.
The Search Committee met on campus on October 10 to select our semifinalist candidates. I want to commend members of the Search Committee for their deep engagement, insight, and thoughtfulness. This is a talented, inquisitive, and forward-looking group, and I am proud to work alongside them as we go through this important process.
Following the selection of semifinalist candidates, the Search Committee conducted preliminary reference checks and hosted candidates for virtual interviews the week of October 28. The Search Committee then discussed each candidate in detail before selecting a small group of finalists who will participate in in-person interviews. Currently, AGB Search is running rigorous background checks on each of our finalist candidates while members of the Search Committee are conducting additional detailed reference checks.
As a reminder, the Gustavus Board of Trustees has determined that the Presidential Search will remain a fully confidential process that has been entrusted to the Search Committee. In today’s competitive and dynamic higher education environment, committing to a confidential process is one of the factors that led to our strong applicant pool. To that end, the finalist interviews will take place at an off-campus location and participation will be limited to the Search Committee, which includes representation from the student body, faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees.
I am pleased with our progress and with our process, and I want to express my gratitude to this community for the thoughtful input you provided that led to the development of our Search Profile. As a reminder, we have established an email address (presidentsearch@gustavus.edu) where your voice can be heard if you were unable to participate in listening sessions last spring. Please refer to the search prospectus and email this address should you wish to share any feedback.
Best Regards,
Suzanne
Suzanne Boda ‘82
Chair, Presidential Search Committee
Chair-Elect, Gustavus Board of Trustees