With a myriad of open administrator searches on the docket, Ohio University is a step closer to filling at least one position.
During the past week, finalists for executive director of Residential Housing have visited campus for interviews. OU hopes to make an offer by April 23 and have that person start by July 1, said Jenny Hall-Jones, assistant dean of students, who is co-chairing OU’s internal search committee.
The university named four finalists for the position: Jo Campbell, director of Residence Life at the University of Toledo; Tara Loomis, director of Residence Education at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst; Peter Trentacoste, interim assistant vice president for Student Affairs at Northern Kentucky University; and Ray Gasser, director for University Housing at the University of Idaho.
The candidates have visited campus for open forums, a tour of campus, and interviews with students, staff and administrators. The four finalists were pulled from a pool of about 12 candidates.
“We want someone who is student-focused, not just an administrator,” Jones said. “They should know what students want and need and be able to connect with students and present to the Board of Trustees.”
Christine Sheets, OU’s current executive director of Residential Housing, was promoted to assistant vice president for capital and facilities planning earlier this year. She will remain in her current position until the university hires a replacement.
“The four people we brought in, I think, are impressive,” said Evan Ecos, Student Senate’s Residence Life commissioner and a member of OU’s search committee. “Each of them has their own strengths and will bring a different kind of feel to the job itself.”
OU also brought candidates to campus in the fall, but none of them was selected for the position, Ecos said.
“The finalists weren’t really what we’re looking for: a dynamic leader to take the department into the 21st century,” Ecos said.
The candidates on campus this past week were asked to prepare presentations on ideas for building learning communities in residence halls as part of their interviews, Jones said.
The on-campus interviews started April 9 and finished Tuesday, according to an email from Judy Piercy, associate director of Residential Education. Each candidate spent about two days interviewing.
Each finalist has experience on both the facilities side and residential-life side of student housing, Jones said. That was important in searching for candidates because OU combined its housing and residential-life departments.
“These four finalists have the best of both worlds,” Jones said.
The university paid search firm Spelman & Johnson a $17,000 fee to assist in compiling a pool of candidates.
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