Commonwealth University is still on the hunt for a permanent University President. Interim President Osgood has been chosen as the singular candidate in the search. The search has started and it has been opened up to the campus community. 

How the search is including campus communities 

The search has taken an approach that includes the campus community, rather than just the Presidential Search Committee. The Voice sat down with Chief of Staff, Dan Knorr, to discuss the presidential search and how it is going. 

It starts with the formation of a search committee. Then, the development of a Leadership Profile, a public profile on the university website. It lays out what CU is, and what the university is looking for in a presidential candidate. “It’s not with Jeff or any other candidate in mind, it’s truly just trying to get down on paper what we are looking for,” says Knorr. 

Some of the requirements listed are:

• The ability to represent the mission and vision of Commonwealth University to the region and state- wide, and a willingness to provide national leadership in higher education
• A successful record of academic leadership combined with executive accomplishments and experience
• Experienced in budgetary decision-making and the financial pressures often facing public universities

The committee sent out an email including the Leadership Profile, giving the community access to read through it. The campus community was given a week to read through it, react and give feedback. This was to ensure that the qualifications were up to everyone’s standards, including students. 

There will be open Student Open Forums held on each campus, giving students an opportunity to meet Osgood. The campus visits are scheduled for the following dates and times:

• Lock Haven – February 17, 4:00-4:45 P.M.
• Mansfield – February 18, 4:00-4:45 P.M.
• Bloomsburg – February 19, 4:00-4:45 P.M.

“I think that especially at Commonwealth University there’s something the search committee has heard loud and clear,” Knorr says, “we really want our permanent president to be somebody who is seen and visible and active in campus life.”

The background of the search

CU has been officially investigating a permanent University President since late January. In December, the CU Council of Trustees decided to open the search with Interim President Osgood as the sole candidate. A Presidential Search Committee, as well as a draft Leadership Profile, were put together over winter break. The search will take all of February and some of March.

The Voice will continue to report as the presidential search goes on.