A group of 13 USF St. Petersburg students met with William Funk Tuesday to give the newly appointed consultant a better idea of campus life, and the qualities USFSP’s next chancellor ought to have.
The forum was open to all USFSP students, and those who showed up represented majors such as leadership, business, finance, journalism and graphic design. Funk asked every person present to introduce themselves, and asked why they chose to attend or work at USFSP, and what they intend to do after graduation (“play with orphans” in the third world, nonprofit work, delay graduation as long as possible).
Also in attendance were Regional Associate Vice Chancellor Julie Wong, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Frank Biafora and Director of Student Life and Engagement Matthew Morin.
Funk is the founder, president and chief executive officer of R. William Funk and Associates, a Dallas-based consulting firm specializing in higher education. According to the company’s website—which describes Funk as the “Kevin Bacon game” equivalent of higher education—Funk and Associates has placed more than 350 college and university chancellors and presidents.
“USFSP is on the move,” said Biafora, who was appointed by Genshaft last month to chair the chancellor search advisory committee. “We’re growing faster than ever before, and the next leader coming in here has to be an individual with a bold vision who resonates very clearly with students.”
Students were clear in their demands: the next chancellor should be easily approachable and seen by students around campus on a daily basis.
“The number one thing I’m going to be looking for in a chancellor is someone who realizes what their job is, and that’s to be here for the students,” said Student Government President Mark Lombardi-Nelson, who was the only undergraduate student appointed to the search committee. “We make the university go round. It’s here for us.”
Other student priorities included keeping USFSP part of the greater USF system. Class sizes should not increase, students said, as the student population of more than 6,000 continues to grow. Annina Coschigano, a senior and returning student who graduated from high school 10 years ago, reminded the group the median age at USFSP is 25, and not to overlook “non-traditional” students and their needs.
Students also discussed the importance of community engagement, and a chancellor who understands the challenges of Florida politics in an era of perpetual budget cuts.
“I’m from St. Petersburg and I’ve lived here my whole life,” said Kate Dworsky, a senior studying entrepreneurship and global business. “I chose to go to school here because I love downtown St. Pete and I didn’t want to go to a campus that was a city in itself.”
Introductions took nearly an hour. Funk spent the last minutes of the meeting discussing the application process for prospective candidates. Chancellor hopefuls can apply through an advertisement in the Chronicle of Higher Education. The ad reads, in part:
“It is expected that the next Regional Chancellor will be a person of strategic vision who understands and appreciates the mission and culture of this student-centered, intimate institution often referred to as the ‘Jewel by the Sea.’ The best candidates for this post will have unquestioned integrity, exemplary communication and interpersonal skills, a consensus-building leadership style, and a passion for preparing students for positive lives and careers.”
Serious and qualified candidates will likely be nominated or recruited through his firm, Funk said. Applications through the Chronicle of Higher Education ad will be open for inspection in accordance with Florida’s Sunshine Law. Those recruited by Funk’s firm are not public record. Funk said prospective candidates often do not want their “credibility undermined” at their current institution, and are reluctant to publicly announce their search until a campus visit is scheduled. Campus visits should be announced about one week before a candidate visit, Funk said.
The next step, according to Biafora and Funk, is to continue the dialogue with students, and write a leadership statement.
During an interview the following day, Biafora said he left the meeting knowing “loud and clear” USFSP needs to be “careful not to grow too large and lose its intimacy.”
Biafora he would like to see perspective candidates give a guest lecture to prove he or she can “handle the hot seat.” When asked why Genshaft appointed only one student to the chancellor search committee, Biafora said Lombardi-Nelson is “well versed and aware of the concerns of commuters and non-traditional students.” Biafora added the committee includes an alumna, and that Donna Knudsen, director of graduate studies, is also a graduate student.
USFSP’s new chancellor will start work in summer 2013, though the timeline is open, according to Biafora. “If a candidate is able to start earlier, we would welcome them in early 2013.”
