Search for new interim president for De Anza is underway
May 4, 2018
Combined efforts to search for an interim president are underway following President Brian Murphy’s retirement announcement on April 9.
Several members of the academic senate, faculty and student body comprise the search committee in charge of selecting and reviewing candidates for the interim position. For confidentiality reasons, the search and the meetings are held in private.
The candidates would eventually fill in for the duties as chief executive officer of the college and represent the Chancellor’s executive cabinet. Characteristics are also being looked at such as respect and regard for student life, academic and overall wellbeing in the community.
Moreover, the candidate will facilitate leadership and administrative oversight over plans to align the college budget with available resources in light of recent cuts.
Becky Bartindale, the coordinator of communication and public affairs, stated the search would be focused on candidates who have worked specifically in the Foothill-De Anza community.
“Interim positions at this level at Foothill-De Anza typically are filled internally,” she said. “Among other things, this approach provides stability and continuity during a time of transition.”
No public forum will be held, following practices with past interim presidents and chancellors, to allow for quicker and smoother transition for the candidate. In this way, Bartindale said, the interim is able to work closely with President Murphy and has time to address problems created by the move.
DASB president Khaled Haq spoke on being a part of the search committee.
“I believe my peers and I will do the best of our ability in terms of selecting a new leader for our amazing community,” Haq said. “We will be bringing concerns of the student body to the front of the table.”
Joining him in the search committee is student trustee Elias Kamal and DASB representative, Hayman C. Wong.
Potential candidates will be selected and reviewed on Thursday, May 8, according to the timeline established by Chancellor Judy Miner.