A search committee for the Dean of the College of LAS has selected four finalists for the position. 

The finalists include James Glaser, dean of academic affairs for Arts and Sciences at Tufts University; Joseph Francisco, associate dean for research and graduate education in the College of Science at Purdue University; Elizabeth Spiller, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Florida State University; and Barbara Wilson, executive vice provost for faculty and academic affairs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Each finalist will visit campus over the next two weeks and give a public presentation regarding their “Vision for Illinois’ College of LAS.” They will also be answering questions following their presentations.

The search committee launched the process in early December, said Paula Kaufman, chair of the search committee and professor of the University Library.

“I think we have a strong group of people that we are bringing to campus,” Kaufman said. “The candidates meet with a wide variety of people so that those people also get to provide input to the search process.”

So far, candidates have only met with the search committee, but upon coming to campus, they will meet with deans and with the vice chancellor for research, Kaufman said.

Faculty and staff will then be able to give their input on the finalists following the on-campus visit. After taking into account the input from faculty and staff, the search committee will compile recommendations for each candidate and send them to the Office of the Provost to make the final decision.

No date has been established yet for the final selection of the new dean. 

MaryCate can be reached at [email protected].