Committee seeks vice president of academic affairs

A committee, consisting of members of the administration, professors and one student have been in the process of reviewing applications for the position of vice president of academic affairs. The committee encourages students to meet these individuals and give their input in the decision-making process.

by Adam Greenberg assistant a&e editor

Cabrini's search for a new vice president of academic affairs has been narrowed down to a select few candidates.

A committee has been reviewing applications during this semester.

Members of the committee are Dr. Robert Bonfiglio, vice president for student development; Dr. Mary Alice Muellerleile, the interim academic dean; Dr. Cynthia Halpern, language department chair; Dr. Joseph Romano, professor of philosophy; Dr. Sharon Schwarze, philosophy department chair; Kristine Mudrick, vice president for information technology and resources; and sophomore Benjamin Lunn.

"[This job] takes leadership for the academic program," Muellerleile said. She is one of the members of the vice president search committee.

Muellerleile said that there are many duties that the vice president of academic affairs fulfills.

The vice president takes care of the faculty's needs, negotiating for their budgets and working with the faculty to revise the curriculum, according to Muellerleile. In addition to these tasks, she said the vice president also works with the offices of career planning, the registrar, the accelerated degree program and also with students who are having academic difficulty.

Some of the characteristics that Muellerleile said are important for a potential candidate are dynamic leadership, a desire for academic excellence and an ability to be collaborative and decisive.

The background required is a doctorate and three to five years of successful work in an administrative role, Muellerleile said.

Muellerleile said that she expects the position to be filled by the end of the semester.

"I would encourage students to get involved in this decision. They should meet these people," she said.

One way that student involvement has been taken into consideration is through the inclusion of Lunn as a student representative on the committee.

Lunn said that he feels his primary duty is to insure that whoever is hired for the position is someone who cares about the best interests of the students.

"That's the person that's really responsible for our education and the curriculum," Lunn said. "I don't want the person to only see students as dollar signs."

Bonfiglio echoed Lunn's sentiments.

As a member of the search committee, he said that he is also looking for a person who will contribute to the overall improvement of the student experience.

The issue of leadership is a major concern, Bonfiglio said.

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He said that it is important that this person will be trusted by the faculty and will support them so that they can do their best work, which will directly affect the quality of students' education.

The potential candidates will be visiting campus in the upcoming weeks, according to Bonfiglio. He said that the visits will help to determine if these individuals fit in with the Cabrini community. Students are invited to attend the meetings with the candidates.

"If students are concerned with the direction of academic progress here, they should make it their business to be there," Bonfiglio said.

All of the meetings will be held at 12:30 on April 20, 22, 27, 29 and on May 6.

The location of the meetings is to be determined. Evaluations will be handed out so·that students can indicate their opinions on the candidates.