Presidential Search

Update on the status of the presidential search - December 21, 2010

The search is well underway.  Witt/Kieffer, the college’s search consultants, have been actively recruiting candidates and are pleased by the response they have received from potential applicants and those who have already formally applied.   

In order that the entire process not be rushed unnecessarily, the Presidential Search Committee has updated the earlier tentative search schedule.  The revised schedule is as follows:

February 8 – the Presidential Search Committee will review applications with Witt/Kieffer and identify the semi-finalists.

February 22-23 – The Presidential Search Committee will meet the semi-finalist candidates and select 2-3 finalists.

March 14-18 -  The finalist candidates will spend time meeting with the campus community and board members.

Late March – the board with select the next president of the college

Due to the uncertainty of such things as weather and travel arrangements it is possible that these dates may change slightly.  Nevertheless, the process of identifying the next president of The Woods is proceeding in good order.   Anyone wishing to suggest a candidate for this highly important post is strongly encouraged to contact Dennis Barden or Dr. Kate Will at Witt/Kieffer (630-990-1370).  

Search Announcement - November 29, 2010

The search for SMWC’s next president is underway.  Witt/Kieffer, the search firm assisting with this effort, conducted several on campus interviews in late October with key elements of the college community.  These interviews identify clearly and objectively what the college needs in its next president.  From the information gathered, Witt/Kieffer developed a comprehensive packet of information that will be provided to qualified candidates.  Download a summary description of the presidential position (pdf). 

By mid-January, a group of semi-finalists will be selected from the applications.  This will lead to a selection of finalist candidates by early February, followed by on-campus interviews of these candidates by the end of February and a selection of the next president soon thereafter.   

The search committee appreciates the campus community’s help in this very important process.  If anyone has ideas about specific candidates for this position, please contact Dennis Barden (630-990-1370) or Kate Will (603-748-4399) at Witt/Kieffer.

Search Announcement - November 1, 2010

The presidential search committee is pleased that a large portion of the SMWC community was able to meet the week of October 25 with representatives from the search firm Witt/Kieffer.  The information gathered from these meetings will be used by Witt/Kieffer to develop a comprehensive profile of what SMWC is seeking in its new president.   Witt/Kieffer will use this information to identify suitable candidates as it undertakes its nationwide search.  It is anticipated that a group of qualified candidates will be presented to the search committee by mid-January and that finalists will be presented to the SMWC community by the end of February. 

Mr. Dennis Barden and Dr. Kate Will, the representatives from Witt/Kieffer, thoroughly appreciated the time they spend on campus and the frank and open discussions they had with many of you.  They encourage anyone who wishes to contact them do so using the following contact information.  They and their firm will handle any such discussions in complete confidence.

Dennis Barden

(630)575-6167

dennisb@wittkieffer.com

Kate Will, Ph.D.

(603)748-4399

khwill@wittkieffer.com

When writing or forwarding information about the search, please send via email to:

SMWCPresident@wittkieffer.com

Search Announcement - Open Forums to be held Oct 27-28

The search committee has selected the search firm of Witt/Kieffer to assist us in identifying the next president of SMWC.  As part of this process a series of meetings has been scheduled next week in order that the key components of the SMWC community can meet with the Witt/Kieffer executives that will be leading our search. The purpose of these meetings will be to identify the distinctive attributes and challenges of the college that would face the next president and what qualities will be needed in the next president to address these issues. 

Please note that there are opportunities for every member of the SMWC community to take part in these meetings and we urge you to do so since the results of these meetings will provide the overall direction of our search from this point forward.

Schedule of Meetings