On Oct. 6, 2021, during his annual State of the University address, Dr. David Glassman, president of Eastern Illinois University, announced it would soon be time for the university to identify his successor:
"... I want to share my plans directly with the EIU community. I am announcing my plan today to accept a new contract for one year if our Board of Trustees so desires. To be clear, the new contract would extend my presidency at EIU through June of 2023. At that time, I will retire from the presidency with a current plan to return to the faculty as professor of anthropology. This timeline will provide the Board of Trustees and our various campus constituencies maximum time to conduct a timely and thorough search for EIU’s next president."
Search Timeline
Announcement: Feb. 3
Presidential Search Advisory Committee
- Joyce Madigan, Chair of Committee and Chair of Board of Trustees
- Barb Baurer, Trustee
- Chris Hicks, Trustee
- Conner Mellott, Student Trustee
- Laretta Henderson, Dean, College of Education
- Chris Kahler, Chair Art Department
- Lucy Ade, President Student Senate
- Tony Craven, Brickmason Foreman and Chair of Staff Senate
- Lakshmikara "Raju" Padmaraju, Interim Director Budget Planning and Institutional Research
- Jody Stone, Senior Associate Director Housing & Dining
- Todd Bruns, Professor and Chair of Faculty Senate
- Jeff Stowell, Professor and Vice-Chair Faculty Senate
- Nichole Mulvey, Associate Professor and Recorder of Faculty Senate
- Carole Collins Ayanlaja, Assistant Professor
- Tonya Sawyer, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance
- Jill Nilsen, EIU Foundation
- Margaret Messer, EIU Annuitant Association
- Mary Anne Hanner, EIU Alumni Association
- Brandon Combs, Mayor Charleston, Illinois
- Laura McLaughlin, General Counsel (ex officio)
About the Position
The president reports to the Board of Trustees and serves as the chief executive officer of the university. The president is responsible for all operations of the university, including overall leadership and management of the institution, its academic enterprise, a Division 1 athletics program, fundraising and mobilization of all constituents including faculty, alumni, staff, students, community, corporate, foundation and local and state government leaders to meet the institutional and regional goals. The president will lead the continuing transformation of the university as it achieves further academic advances and propel the institution among the state’s top choice for universities. Under the president’s leadership, university affairs are conducted in keeping with state laws and the policies and procedures established by the board.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will display the following imporant attributes:
- Expertise in leadership, financial management, strategic planning and legislative relations
- A resilient problem solver who can successfully implement innovative solutions to respond to the challenges facing universities today
- A successful record of academic leadership and executive experience
- A strong commitment to student success and innovative teaching practices involving students of every intersectional cultural background
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated track record in collaborating with faculty, students, staff, alumni and community stakeholders to achieve the university’s mission
- An inclusive approach to management and leadership, including an ethic of care and a commitment to excellence in recruiting, retaining and developing a diverse faculty and leadership team
- Experience working with diverse student populations and an ability to communicate with and understand the needs of students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels
- Experience managing and establishing priorities for complex budgets and a demonstrated ability to introduce and implement innovating funding initiatives
- Understanding of major fundraising initiatives and an ability to represent the university compellingly with stakeholders, alumni and donors
- An ability to communicate effectively and build partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, union representatives, alumni, donors, business leaders and state policymakers
- A strong commitment to shared governance and a willingness to circulate widely and listen carefully, including a commitment to collaboration and transparency in decision-making
- A commitment to, experience with, and understanding of the importance and significance of community engagement and the ability to collaborate effectively on region-wide initiatives
- A dedicated advocate for EIU with city and state government and business partners
- Preference will be given to candidates with an earned doctorate or appropriate terminal degree in an academic discipline as well as academic credentials that will earn the respect of faculty.
