Alaska Pacific University President Search Nearing Finish Line

[UPDATE  Nov. 16: Finalists have been announced. Click on link.]

The search schedule puts the final 3-5 candidates coming to Anchorage in November/December so an announcement about those finalists should be made any day now.

September/October 2009	Recruiting continues. In late October, initial screening/filtering of leads to selection of 8 to 12 semifinalists.
November 2009	PSC interviews semifinalists at neutral airport location, selecting 3 to 5 finalists. Background checks are conducted on all finalists.
November/December 2009	Finalists are announced and visit campus, meet with all constituencies, including Anchorage community, and undergo comprehensive interviews/Q&A with Board of Trustees.
December 10, 2009	Scheduled Board of Trustee meeting. Trustees select the top candidate, Chair leads contract negotiations.
January 2010	New President introduced to the APU community on campus and the wider public.

The search is being conducted by Witt/Kieffer  a company that does things like executive searches.  There's a 17 page brochure about the job and APU in pdf form.  From page 10 I've gotten this list of the traits they are looking for.

Alaska Pacific University is dedicated to the service of Alaska Native populations. Its president must both embody and advocate for a university that is responsive to and supportive of a highly diverse community. A demonstrated track record of enhancing diversity is therefore required.
In addition, the ideal candidate will possess:

• a commitment to active learning and to innovation in the academic program, including a working knowledge of non-traditional delivery systems (especially distance learning);
• a deep understanding of and demonstrated commitment to both traditional and non- traditional students;
• an accessible personal style that fits the intimate environment of the small university, combined with an unrelenting commitment to students as the centerpiece of the university;
• exceptional financial skills as characterized by significant experience with both budgets and investments;
• considerable and successful experience as a manager of people and programs with an emphasis on team building;
• a commitment to and track record of supporting shared governance; a commitment to impacting the earth’s environment in a positive way;
• an understanding of the role of private university education combined with an ability to articulate and advocate its continued importance and value; and
• the core attributes of great leaders (in addition to those noted above): honesty, intelligence, energy, enthusiasm, optimism, adaptability, transparency, decisiveness, courage of convictions, tolerance for ambiguity, and a good sense of humor.

Finally, Alaska is a unique subset of the United States. Its people, culture, topography, and climate are truly different than what most in the “Lower 48” states experience. Alaska is one of APU’s most vital assets, and its people are among the university’s most important – and diverse – constituencies. Personal resonance with Alaska and Alaskans is critical to the president’s success. Both candidates and the APU community want to be confident that the new president (and his or her household) will thrive in this singular environment.

The choice of APU's President is one that should be of interest to all Anchorage residents.  Universities play an important role in a community.  The new president can energize the community by developing greater educational opportunities for Alaskans (and others), by working cooperatively with UAA, and by making the campus a center for research into Alaska issues.  Or, if the new President isn't a great choice, we will lose the potential of this resource.