The University is entering a transition period following the announcement that Chancellor Robert Jones will step down after almost nine years. While Jones left behind a legacy during his tenure as chancellor — the second longest in University history — the University is looking toward the future to find his replacement.
In a Massmail on Dec. 20, the University Senate announced the members of the search committee who will assist University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen in the selection process for the next chancellor.
In the coming months, the search committee will interview candidates across the country, according to Killeen.
“The search is underway, but it’s in its early stages,” Killeen said. “I anticipate that there will be a lot of interest in this. It’ll be a national search for many reasons, one of which is just the sheer caliber of UIUC. Its capabilities, its placement, the fact that there’s been a very successful, long-tenured chancellor in place got lots of positive momentum that we want to build off of and contributions in all kinds of areas.”
The chancellor is the University’s chief executive, overseeing academic, administrative and financial operations. This leadership position involves setting strategic priorities, fostering excellence and representing the University to external stakeholders.
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The chancellor acts as a CEO for their constituent university: the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of Illinois at Springfield or the University. These schools comprise the UI System — each chancellor reports to Killeen, who reports to the Board of Trustees. The chancellors also act as vice presidents of the system on top of their duties to their respective universities.
“Each chancellor represents (their) university very effectively and has loyalty and dedication to all things associated with that university,” Killeen said.
The search for a new chancellor has been aided by the University’s growing reputation and the remarkable successes in many academic and administrative fields, according to Killeen.
“We have a lot of momentum right now,” Killeen said. “(The University’s) enrollment has grown — diversity of our student body, with recruiting faculty, our research volume is up as well.”
The University is poised to continue the momentum and make significant contributions in many areas on this bedrock.
According to Killeen, the ideal candidate must bring a combination of vision, experience and the ability to navigate the complexities of a major research institution. As the search for a new chancellor progresses, it’s essential to consider the qualities that will define strong leadership for the University’s future.
“We want a person of character and integrity who can represent a wonderful enterprise and institution effectively and build a shared vision of a common future,” Killeen said. “Make sure that all the trains are running on time and that the processes are well ordered, that the facilities are adequate to the mission, that all of that will serve the faculty at the same time, participate in the system leadership, which has an even broader purview.”