“The successful candidate should have demonstrable experience addressing diversity issues and providing programs that enhance the university experience for a diverse student body.” -- Erik Timmerman, Search and Screen Committee chair

A search committee assembled by Chancellor Carlos Santiago has been put together to help in the process of hiring a new vice chancellor of Student Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

In April 2006, Santiago met with the members of the Search and Screen Committee and charged them with the task of publicizing, reviewing and interviewing applicants, and creating an unranked list of three to five finalists for the position.

According to Erik Timmerman, a communications professor at UWM, the committee is looking for people who have been involved administratively with universities in the past and have administrative-level experience.

"The successful candidate should have demonstrable experience addressing diversity issues and providing programs that enhance the university experience for a diverse student body as well as substantial leadership and communication skills that allow for the development and maintenance of collaborative relationships with other university personnel, students and the broader community,” Timmerman said.

The new vice chancellor will serve as a primary contact between students and administration. He or she will also oversee a range of programs and facilities such as financial aid, athletics, and Norris Health Center, and will work directly with students to help them get connected to these different campus resources.

Although the committee’s job is to publicize the position and to identify the finalists, it is essentially Chancellor Santiago who will be hiring the new vice chancellor. Finalists will visit campus and meet with students, professors, faculty, administration and community members. After the visits, the chancellor will speak with the people the finalists met and seek their input for the final hiring decision.

Timmerman added that the search is going very well and that the committee is on schedule for making their recommendation to Santiago by Nov. 1.

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