Florida Tech interviewing five finalists in search for new university president
Five finalists have emerged from the field during a national search for a new president at the Florida Institute of Technology. And a hiring announcement may occur in April, said Travis Proctor, who chairs the university's board of trustees.
Proctor chairs Florida Tech's seven-member presidential search committee, which teamed with an executive search firm to winnow down a field of 112 applicants. He said the new president should start work by summer to prepare for the upcoming 2023-24 academic year.
"There is a tremendous amount of excitement on campus about this leader coming in. There's a lot of energy at Florida Tech," Proctor said. "There's such a solid foundation at the institution, it's really ready for a material elevation in both its stature and the things that it's engaged in," he said.
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T. Dwayne McCay served as president from July 2016 until he resigned in March, citing the need to spend more time with his family. He was Florida Tech's fifth permanent president since the university's 1958 inception.
Interim President Robert King — who is not a finalist — arrived on campus in July to serve as McCay's replacement during a transition period. The five job finalists:
⬤ Jennifer Sinclair Curtis, former dean of engineering at the University of California-Davis.
Curtis previously worked as department chair of chemical engineering and associate dean for research at the University of Florida, and she was director of the Florida Energy Systems Consortium.
⬤ Louis Martin-Vega, dean of the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University.
Martin-Vega previously worked for five years as dean of engineering at the University of South Florida, and he was Lockheed Professor at Florida Tech's College of Engineering.
⬤ John Nicklow, president and CEO of the University of New Orleans.
Nicklow previously worked as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Southern Illinois University. At New Orleans, he led the first major comprehensive fundraising campaign in the university’s 65-year history.
⬤ John Wiencek, provost and executive vice president of the University of Akron.
Wiencek previously worked as provost at the University of Idaho and Virginia Commonwealth University, and he was dean of engineering for six years at the University of South Florida.
⬤ Wolf Yeigh, chancellor and professor of engineering at the University of Washington-Bothell.
Yeigh was previously president of the State University of New York Institute of Technology, and he was vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Norwich University.
"We are super excited about the five finalists. I think each one of them has the prerequisite experience and skills to do an outstanding job," Proctor said.
"And our real challenge now will be to find out which of these five will be the final person," he said.
Florida Tech offers more than 180 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs, in addition to minor and certificate programs, at four colleges: the College of Aeronautics, Nathan M. Bisk College of Business, College of Engineering and Science, and College of Psychology and Liberal Arts.
According to a 14-page "leadership profile" soliciting applicants, Florida Tech's board of trustees expects the new president to:
Develop a campus master plan to address infrastructure needs, building upgrades, faculty resources and new facilities.
Be visible on campus and "enjoy interacting with students informally in the dining halls, student union and classroom buildings, as well as at student events, campus activities and athletic competitions."
Elevate the university's brand and visibility.
"It is often said that 'Florida Tech is a well-kept secret.' It is now time for a new president to be a committed and highly visible champion, advocate and chief spokesperson for the university with alumni, business and industry, the military, government officials, the media, and the general public to promote Florida Tech’s educational, research andathletic programs and its significant contributions to and significant impact on the greater Melbourne region, the state of Florida and the world beyond," the profile said.
The five candidates were scheduled for campus visits. During those visits, candidates meet with university officials, faculty and students, and they attend open forums in the Hartley Room.
Florida Tech's search committee includes Faculty Senate President Tolga Turgut and six trustees: Proctor, Kirsten Dreggors, Dale Dettmer, Svafa Gronfeldt, Kendall Moore and Vik Verma.
Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @RickNeale1
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Florida Institute of Technology president search down to 5 finalists
