The Dean’s Search was initiated by Interim Executive Vice President for Academics and Provost Jerry Strawser on February 20, 2008 with the appointment of the Search Advisory Committee.

The search will progress through a series of open and closed phases:

• At the onset, the search advisory committee outlines the qualities, attributes and important characteristics of the Dean and begins to identify and seek a  diverse pool of potential candidates.  The search process will be relatively open [e.g., time schedule and notes from meetings will be posted on website, etc…].
  
  
• Once the search committee begins identifying and receiving nominations/applications and assessing the credentials of prospective candidates, its work will be held in strict confidence.

• As the committee narrows the pool of final candidates, the identity of final candidates, who will be invited to campus, will be announced. 
  
  
• The Search Committee will host final candidates for a 2- to 3-day campus visit with opportunities for participation by all appropriate constituencies.   Each candidate will be invited to present a seminar.
  
  
• Following the candidate interviews, the final stage of the Dean’s Search will be strictly confidential.  An appropriate opportunity will be identified to solicit input from faculty and administration following the interviews.  After considering feedback from all those who participated in the candidate interviews and further review/debate, the Search Advisory Committee will present an unranked list of final candidates for the position to the Executive Vice President for Academics and Provost.  The committee’s report will include a summary of strengths and weaknesses for each candidate, as well as a summary of faculty input. 
  
  
• In consultation with the Provost, the President will make a final recommendation in identifying a sole finalist for the position of Dean.  The President will present the recommendation to the Chancellor.  The Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System will then present the candidate to the Board of Regents for its approval.