by Caleb Fort
Daily Lobo
UNM is almost ready to begin searching for a new university president, said Susan Carkeek, vice president of human resources.
The groundwork includes a consulting firm, a special advisor and more than 150 interviews with various campus constituencies, she said.
The regents on the presidential search committee - Raymond Sanchez, Sandra Begay-Campbell and Mel Eaves - conducted interviews with the UNM community to find out what people want from the new president, Sanchez said.
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Louis Caldera, former UNM president, announced his resignation Jan. 25. David Harris has been acting president since Caldera's resignation.
Sanchez, the chairman of the committee, said there will be 15 to 21 people on the search committee, including the regents. The committee members will include representatives of undergraduate and graduate student government, Faculty Senate, UNM Hospital and the Albuquerque community.
"We're trying to be sure there is a good mix in terms of balance," he said. "I think you'll be pleasantly surprised."
The regents will announce the committee members at their September meeting, Carkeek said. They will also finalize the position announcement, she said.
"That's kind of when the public search will be initiated," she said. "That's when we say to the public, 'We're looking for a president.'"
The committee spoke with more than 150 people from about 10 different groups, including students, faculty, staff, deans and alumni, Sanchez said.
"What's so amazing about it is that everybody's talking about the same things across the board," he said.
Carkeek agreed.
"The common threads were noticeable. Of course, the different groups had slightly different desires," she said. "But the basics were the same, and it was quickly evident to see that all these groups had the same desires in common."
Sanchez did not want to discuss specific qualities candidates should have, because it may give the impression the committee already has someone in mind.
"We do not have a predetermined candidate," he said. "But as an idea, we want someone who has an attitude of excellence and a knowledge of New Mexico. It's basically based on experience and personality traits."
The results of the interviews will be used to put together a position announcement, Carkeek said.
The new president should be comfortable with students, said student Lyanette Martinez.
"They should know about student life," she said. "They should know what students want and what problems students have."
The president should also have a scholarly background, she said.
AndrÇs Armijo, director of Freshmen Interest Groups and Living and Learning Communities, said the ideal president would be a state native.
"If we were to get a Nuevo Mexicano for president, that would be perfect," he said. "Of course, they would still need to be well-qualified as far as scholastic and fund-raising abilities. The point is having someone who can relate to the campus population."
Armijo used the term "Nuevo Mexicano" to refer to a Hispanic New Mexican, although he would be equally happy with an American-Indian president, he said.
Sanchez said diversity is a concern in the search.
"I don't think we've made that a requirement," he said. "But I think we always look at if you can find someone who is qualified and is a minority or a woman, that's quite an achievement."
Sanchez said hiring a minority would cast UNM in a good light.
"It sends a message that this University is willing to look at different attitudes and backgrounds," he said. "We are a minority-majority campus, and it would be good for the president to reflect that."
UNM announced Greenwood & Associates Inc. as a consultant in the search for president on Aug. 8.
Sanchez said the firm will serve UNM well.
"We feel very comfortable with who we hired. They had experience," he said. "Our University has always been committed to diversity, and this is a woman-owned, minority-owned company. They have the fire in their belly."
The firm's president and vice president were both university presidents and have conducted successful presidential searches for other universities, according to a UNM news release.
F. Chris Garcia, UNM professor and former UNM president, will be special advisor to the committee, Carkeek said.
"We're looking for him to help us make contacts throughout higher education," she said. "We can also use his contacts to help us do some referrals and background checks on an informal basis."
Garcia will be useful for recruiting, she said.
"You don't necessarily want someone who's looking for a job," she said. "You might want someone who's happy and successful in the job they're in. Then you have to convince them that this is a great job, and Chris (Garcia) would be great for that."
Sanchez said a president will probably not be selected before 2007.
