The search for Florida Polytechnic University’s next president began officially on Wednesday when the board of trustees approved the criteria for the president post that had been suggested by the search committee.
One week after its first meeting on Dec. 7, the group got the go-ahead. The school said in a news release that the meeting started with introductions of the 15 people who were there and then moved on to a general talk of the search process and rules.
The university’s website says that the committee is looking for people who, among other things, have a lot of successful leadership experience in a complex organizational setting, know what Florida Poly is all about, are committed to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education, and can lead the school’s fundraising efforts.
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The requirements say that the person applying must be “a distinguished scholar or leader dedicated to the advancement of academic scholarship” and have a Ph.D. or other advanced degree or a lot of executive experience in a STEM-related area.
A rule from the Florida Board of Governors says that the search committee’s job is to come up with qualifications for the president post, approve a marketing plan, and check out applicants, according to the release.
According to the statement, the committee will also interview “the most qualified candidates” and offer the board of trustees with an unranked list of more than two finalists to evaluate. The names of candidates are kept private under a revision to open records regulations imposed by the Florida Legislature last year.
A 1,400-acre solar farm near Florida Polytechnic University has been proposed. Following the search committee’s selection of finalists, the board of trustees will schedule on-campus meetings or forums with professors, students, and other stakeholders, as well as additional interviews, according to the statement.
Following confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors of the State University System, the full board of trustees will make a final decision on the next president.
Randy K. Avent, Florida Poly’s founding president, stated in July that he would step down at the end of the current academic year after guiding the school for ten years. He has stated that he intends to return to the faculty after a brief break.