DOS finalist Jeffrey Long to visit campus Thursday
The first of four finalists in the national search for the next University of Idaho vice provost for Student Affairs and dean of students, Jeffrey Long, will speak at an open forum at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, in the Student Union Building’s Vandal Ballroom.
The search follows current UI Dean of Students Bruce Pitman’s announcement earlier this year of his intention to retire once a replacement is found. Pitman has served UI in a number of capacities for more than 40 years.
The names of the finalists were revealed Friday, after the search advisory committee made their recommendations to UI Interim Provost Katherine Aiken a few weeks ago.
“All of the final candidates had exceptional qualifications, breadth of experience, depth of experience,” said Alton Campbell, search committee chair. “Most, if not all of them, have probably served as both a dean of students and the equivalent of the vice president of Student Affairs.”
Long is currently the assistant vice president for Student Affairs at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania.
According to Campbell, before Bloomsburg, Long served as the dean of students, or senior Student Affairs officer, at the College of Mount Saint Joseph in Cincinnati.
“I think (Long), as well as the other candidates, would be familiar with the duties of the position,” Campbell said.
Long received his bachelor’s from Bloomsburg, his masters’ from the State University of New York and the College of Saint Rose and his doctorate in counseling and student professional services from the University of Georgia.
Long will address the university in order to shed light on qualities, skills and characteristics not necessarily highlighted on his resume.
Campbell said the open forum is imperative in engaging the entire university community in the search process.
“It’s an opportunity for students, staff and faculty to weigh in on each of the candidates,” he said.
While the finalists are diverse in gender and race, Campbell said diversity was not a factor in the selection process.
Campbell said the vice provost for Student Affairs and the dean of students position is a demanding job that will be hard to fill — especially after Pitman’s tenure.
“We were looking for people obviously with experience in the broader picture, who could speak at the university level to a president and other deans,” Campbell said. “But, also be an advocate and a leader in the Dean of Students Office, too — the student element was very important.”
Campbell said the search committee is scheduled to meet to discuss each candidate in depth on Oct. 10, after the conclusion of all four onsite interviews. He said the search committee would then make its final recommendation to Aiken, who will work with UI President Chuck Staben to make the appointment.
Campbell said the final decision is not one-sided, as the selected candidate must accept the position when offered.
“We’re trying to find the right fit for our position,” Campbell said. “But they’re also trying to find the right fit professionally for themselves.”
Amber Emery can be reached at [email protected]