Academic Search May 2022 Newsletter

May 2022

Time to Celebrate

Living in such turbulent times makes us cherish the small, yet important aspects in life, like wrapping up another successful year and joining with campus colleagues in celebrating students and what they have been able to accomplish.

No matter how challenged or tired I was by commencement time, graduation ceremonies always brought me a needed jolt of energy. I was privileged to preside over 25 graduation ceremonies. The deeper I got into my career, the more I valued and needed that push. In the academy, we do good work, but it is hard work. We hope that as you come to the conclusion of this academic year that you get that jolt of energy. Even more, as we enter the summer months, please prioritize giving yourself, your family, your team, and your campus the benefit of finding time for reflection and a respite that will help renew you to begin a new year in August. 

As always, please know that the Academic Search team is here to be of support to you as your journey in leadership continues. Thank you for answering the call to leadership.

L. Jay Lemons

President

Exchanging Ideas and Cultivating Networks

Last month, Senior Consultant Wanda Bigham attended the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Western Academic Leadership Forum 2022 Annual Meeting, for which Academic Search served as a sponsor. Dr. Bigham was fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with the Academy Cohort about “Working with a Search Consultant” and shared three primary points:

Read the mission. If you like it, talk about it. If you don’t, don’t apply.
Energy is important. I once noted that a candidate was calm. The search committee reacted by saying “low energy.”
Be ready with examples of your successful activities.

Dr. Bigham shared that “the program at WICHE was thought-provoking. There were speakers on ways to increase minority faculty. One speaker, for instance, from the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) provided data that show we will never achieve diversity at the rate that persons of color are currently receiving the Ph.D. This speaker described SREB’s very successful program that provides funding and support throughout the period of study as well as continuing support after the doctorate. Very impressive. Another speaker from University of Montana spoke about the Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership program that allows eligible American Indian/Alaska Native masters and doctoral candidates at certain institutions to apply for scholarships designed to facilitate graduate study in STEM.”

Senior Consultant Jean Floten also participated in a panel presentation hosted by the Washington State Association of College Trustees entitled “How Not to Mess Up Your CEO Search.” In response to the record turnovers the Washington community and technical colleges are experiencing in presidencies this upcoming year, the session invited presidents, college trustees, and state board members to learn what they should avoid doing throughout the search process. Ms. Floten shared that the members of the panel were able to advise the trustees of the importance of reaching a consensus on board priorities and a leadership agenda for the new leader, including working with the state system, prior to the launch of the search. In addition, the panel spoke of the importance of the transition process and that focus needs to be paid to properly onboarding new hires.

In addition, Senior Consultant Tom Shandley attended the first of four 2022 Workshops for Department and Division Chairs hosted by The Council of Independent Colleges in Greenville, South Carolina. These workshops are designed to serve both experienced and new chairs of departments or divisions at independent colleges and universities. Tom felt he had good conversations and was able to assist in cultivating talent.