Florida Institute of Technology president search down to 5 finalists

(*5*)

Five finalists have emerged from the sector throughout a nationwide search for a brand new president on the Florida Institute of Technology. And a hiring announcement could happen in April, mentioned Travis Proctor, who chairs the college’s board of trustees.

Proctor chairs Florida Tech’s seven-member presidential search committee, which teamed with an govt search agency to winnow down a discipline of 112 candidates. He mentioned the brand new president ought to begin work by summer time to put together for the upcoming 2023-24 tutorial 12 months.

“There is a tremendous amount of excitement on campus about this leader coming in. There’s a lot of energy at Florida Tech,” Proctor mentioned. “There’s such a solid foundation at the institution, it’s really ready for a material elevation in both its stature and the things that it’s engaged in,” he mentioned.

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T. Dwayne McCay served as president from July 2016 till he resigned in March, citing the necessity to spend extra time along with his household. He was Florida Tech’s fifth everlasting president for the reason that college’s 1958 inception.

Interim President Robert King — who shouldn’t be a finalist — arrived on campus in July to function McCay’s substitute throughout a transition interval. The 5 job finalists:

⬤ Jennifer Sinclair Curtis, former dean of engineering on the University of California-Davis. 

Curtis beforehand labored as division chair of chemical engineering and affiliate dean for analysis on the University of Florida, and she or he was director of the Florida Energy Systems Consortium.

⬤ Louis Martin-Vega, dean of the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University.

Martin-Vega beforehand labored for 5 years as dean of engineering on the University of South Florida, and he was Lockheed Professor at Florida Tech’s College of Engineering.

⬤ John Nicklow, president and CEO of the University of New Orleans.

Nicklow beforehand labored as provost and vice chancellor for educational affairs at Southern Illinois University. At New Orleans, he led the primary main complete fundraising marketing campaign within the college’s 65-year historical past.

⬤ John Wiencek, provost and govt vice president of the University of Akron.

Wiencek beforehand labored as provost on the University of Idaho and Virginia Commonwealth University, and he was dean of engineering for six years on the University of South Florida.

⬤ Wolf Yeigh, chancellor and professor of engineering on the University of Washington-Bothell. 

Yeigh was beforehand president of the State University of New York Institute of Technology, and he was vice president for educational affairs and dean of the college at Norwich University.

“We are super excited about the five finalists. I think each one of them has the prerequisite experience and skills to do an outstanding job,” Proctor mentioned.

“And our real challenge now will be to find out which of these five will be the final person,” he mentioned.

Florida Tech affords greater than 180 affiliate, bachelor’s, grasp’s and doctoral diploma applications, as well as to minor and certificates applications, at 4 faculties: the College of Aeronautics, Nathan M. Bisk College of Business, College of Engineering and Science, and College of Psychology and Liberal Arts.

According to a 14-page “leadership profile” soliciting candidates, Florida Tech’s board of trustees expects the brand new president to:

• Develop a campus grasp plan to tackle infrastructure wants, constructing upgrades, college sources and new services.
• Be seen on campus and “enjoy interacting with students informally in the dining halls, student union and classroom buildings, as well as at student events, campus activities and athletic competitions.”
• Elevate the college’s model and visibility.

“It is often said that ‘Florida Tech is a well-kept secret.’ It is now time for a new president to be a committed and highly visible champion, advocate and chief spokesperson for the university with alumni, business and industry, the military, government officials, the media, and the general public to promote Florida Tech’s educational, research andathletic programs and its significant contributions to and significant impact on the greater Melbourne region, the state of Florida and the world beyond,” the profile mentioned.

The 5 candidates had been scheduled for campus visits. During these visits, candidates meet with college officers, college and college students, and so they attend open boards within the Hartley Room.

Florida Tech’s search committee consists of Faculty Senate President Tolga Turgut and 6 trustees: Proctor, Kirsten Dreggors, Dale Dettmer, Svafa Gronfeldt, Kendall Moore and Vik Verma.

Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for extra of his tales, click on right here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @RickNeale1

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