Miami University is on the hunt for a new vice president of student affairs.
The four candidates-Franklin Chambers, Timothy Ecklund, Barbara Jones and Ricardo Maestas-will each spend two days on campus meeting with student groups and administrators, being interviewed and participating in an open forum.
The forum for Ecklund; associate vice president for campus life at Buffalo State College in Buffalo, New York will be from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 in 210 Harrison Hall.
According to Ecklund, in his current position he manages a body of more than 11,000 students, comparable to the size of Miami. He started out in residence life and has now been working in student affairs for more than 20 years.
Ecklund chose Miami University for a number of reasons, including student-faculty interaction.
"One of the things that attracted me to the position is the focus on undergraduate education," he said. "And particularly the mission that your new president has envisioned, making students first."
Ecklund also said he liked that students are quite involved outside the classroom, which is beneficial considering one of the goals he said he would pursue.
"I would work closely with faculty to bridge the out-of-classroom experience with in-classroom experience," he said.
Ecklund would also look to student opinion to guide his goals.
"I want to get to know the campus, the students, what they think about their experience, what they think could improve their assessment," he said. "One of the things I pride myself on, in the position I hold now and those before, I'm a very accessible administrator and believe my work is in student affairs and I need to know who the students are and work closely with them."
This approach reminds Ecklund of another reason he finds Miami appealing.
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"From my brief experience, your president is also a proponent of interacting with students, which is very refreshing," Ecklund said.
The forum for Chambers; the vice provost for student affairs at Howard University in Washington, D.C. since 2003; was Monday evening. According to Chambers, he has worked in every area of student affairs, including counseling, athletics, student life, residence and Greek life. He currently oversees approximately 150 student organizations.
Chambers conveyed that his first priority was the student.
"At Howard the motto is 'student first, student always,'" he said. "I have my hands in every area of student affairs, making sure students are well-represented on all fronts."
He said that he is so engaged with the student body at Howard that at least every other student can speak to himby name.
Chambers explained that education does not begin or end in the classroom-a belief he would further at Miami.
"I believe Miami is poised to do great things," he said. "It's critical that academic and student affairs are married. At Howard that marriage is forced, at Miami it is not and would take on concerted effort on both sides."
According to Chambers, he doesn't shy away from challenges and one of those he sees at Miami is the growing concern of alcohol abuse.
"I even look at that as an opportunity for Miami to become a leader," he said.
Richard Nault, the current vice president of student affairs, is retiring June 30.
While acknowledging that the decision ultimately must be made by the university, Nault explained the qualities that he wants in a successor.
"I'd like to see someone who's highly committed and a powerful advocate for students," Nault said. "Someone who really puts the student at the center of all decisions he or she makes."
In describing what the search committee is looking for, Steve Snyder, executive assistant to the president, echoed Nault.
"We're looking for someone who is student-focused, student-centered," Snyder said. "Someone who has a vision about intertwining the academic and
student affairs within the university, who believes in a well-rounded student who learns both inside the classroom and outside the classroom."
Nault explained the basic responsibilities and scope of the position.
"Ultimately, you head a division of about 140 employees and graduate students, and oversee services offered outside classroom," he said.
Both Nault and Snyder agreed that an issue that the candidate will have to address immediately when hired is moving the university toward the sophomore residency requirement.
Nault, reflecting on his own work, added another objective that the candidate should look to continue.
"An issue that's personal to me and that I have felt throughout my time here is creating an inclusive environment, one that embraces diversity," Nault said.
President Hodge will make the final decision based on input from the search committee, with the hope that the replacement will be identified and hired by July 1.
The forum for Barbara Jones will be from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 25 in 215 Laws Hall.
The forum for Ricardo Maestas will be from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 27 in 215 Laws Hall as well. All forums are open to the public.
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