Search Process Overview
What is the process for selecting a new president?
The College Council is given the responsibility to form a search committee to conduct the search for the new president.
The search committee consists of representatives from campus constituencies including the college council, faculty, students, alumni, Foundation, academic deans, and professional staff. Also serving on the committee is an incumbent or retired SUNY president from another campus or a member of the Chancellor’s senior staff designated by the Chancellor. And, a Chancellor’s representative serves as a non-voting member.
The search committee is charged with vetting and recommending candidates to the Purchase College Council who then select three finalists to recommend to the SUNY Chancellor and SUNY Board of Trustees.
Who are the search committee members and how are the chair and the search committee members selected?
The College Council Chair appoints the chair of the search committee. The Council Chair typically serves as chair of the search. The Council chair asks campus and community groups, including the campus governance leader, to submit recommendations for positions on the search committee other than faculty positions which are elected.
How is the search conducted?
A search firm will be selected through an RFP process conducted by a Bidding Review Team to assist in the presidential search process. The search firm holds campus-wide listening sessions and works with the search committee, the Chief Diversity Officer, and the Chancellor’s office to develop the job description, the required and preferred qualifications for the position, as well as the campus prospectus that describes the college, including its current strengths, opportunities, and challenges and information about the SUNY system. The firm then places advertisements and conducts active outreach nationally to recruit a large, talented and diverse pool of qualified candidates to be considered by the committee. The firm will also work with the Council, search committee, and Chancellor’s office to conduct extensive background checks and references on all finalists.
The schedule and duration of the search will be determined by the Council Chair and the Chancellor’s office. Searches typically take several months to complete.
The search committee will review the pool and ultimately select 8–12 candidates who will be interviewed off site. From this group, semi-finalists will be selected and invited to campus for confidential interviews.
The semi-finalists are evaluated and all acceptable candidates are presented, with evaluations from the search committee, first to the College Council, and then upon approval of the College Council, to the Chancellor. At least three acceptable finalist candidates are presented to the Chancellor. The names of the finalist candidates are sent to the Chancellor unranked—hence leaving the ultimate decision to the Chancellor.
What is the approval process after the campus and College Council review?
The Chancellor interviews the candidates. Candidates are asked to provide a presentation to the Trustees and senior staff of SUNY.
The Chancellor makes a recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Three trustees interview the candidate prior to interviews by the full board. The finalist attends a Board of Trustees meeting before final appointment.
How do I share my thoughts about the search, send nominations, or apply?
The search firm and the search committee welcome your thoughts on the search. Expressions of interest and nominations are being accepted and will continue until the position is filled. All nominations and applications shall be confidential.
Application materials should include a letter of interest, a resume/CV, and the names and contact information for five professional references. Interested candidates can apply using the Talent Profile link.
Confidential nominations or referrals should be directed to: PurchasePresident@storbecksearch.com.
For more information
For those interested in further details, please visit SUNY Presidential Search Guidelines.