June 18 Update

Dear students, faculty, and staff,

Last month, President-Designate Cunningham and I announced the launch of a national search for a Vice President for Communications. I’m writing today with updates on the process and timeline for the search for this important systemwide leadership role.

In my last email we shared that Melisa Lopez Franzen, executive director of government and community relations, and Lisa Lewis, president and CEO of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association will serve as co-chairs of the search committee. Thanks to all of the nominations that were received, we’ve built a robust search committee that includes faculty, students, staff, and community representation; the complete roster is posted on the search website. Additionally, the committee and the Office of the President will be supported by the search firm Isaacson, Miller who will be instrumental in recruiting a broad and diverse candidate pool.

The committee will hold their first meeting later this month, and we will begin to gather feedback from key stakeholder groups that will inform the development of a position profile. We anticipate that comprehensive candidate recruitment efforts will begin in July, with interviews taking place early in the fall. We will continue to provide updates throughout the process on the search website.

Sincerely,

Jeff Ettinger
Interim President