The Search for Regis' 25th President

Dear Regis University Community,
 
I hope that this spring semester is going well and that everyone is looking forward to a successful finish to the academic year.
 
Since the last message shared by Robert Engel, Chair of the Regis University Board of Trustees, we have been actively planning for the University’s presidential search. Selecting the President is one of the most important responsibilities of the Board of Trustees. We take this obligation very seriously and understand the impact the next leader will have on the future of Regis University.
 
As chair of the Regis University Presidential Search Advisory Committee (RUPSAC), I write to you, today, to provide an update on our progress and provide a preview of the next steps of the search process that includes a series of campus listening sessions during the week of April 18th to solicit input from you. 
 
The first two critical steps in the search process were to identify a representative group of Trustees and Regis University community members to serve on the RUPSAC and identify an experienced search firm to assist us with the search process. 
 
I am pleased to announce the following members of the Regis University Presidential Search Advisory Committee (RUPSAC). These individuals were selected for the committee to ensure that a diverse range of expertise and perspectives are represented. I am deeply grateful to all of these individuals for their willingness to serve in this important role and share considerable time and energy over the next several months.
            
Maureen Barker –Member, Board of Trustees
Jason Brauninger, S.J. – Member, Board of Trustees; Instructor, Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions
William Fortune – Life Trustee, Regis University alumni
Nita Gonzales- Member, Board of Trustees
Margaret Hartman – Member, Board of Trustees, Regis University alumna
Alberto Hernandez – Junior, Computer Science Major, Anderson College of Business and Computer Science, Graduate of the Porter-Billups Leadership Academy 
Jessica Herrera-Flanigan – Member, Board of Trustees
Dr. Linda Land-Closson – Assistant Professor and Co-Chair of the Faculty Senate, Regis College 
Greg O’Meara, S.J. – Member, Board of Trustees, Professor of Law Marquette University
William Oulvey, S.J. – Member, Board of Trustee, Rector Jesuit Community
Dr. Linda Osterlund – Academic Dean and Professor, Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions 
Mike Reidy – Vice Chair, Executive Committee, Board of Trustee
Dr. Jo Ann Rooney - RUPSAC Chair, Executive Committee, Board of Trustees; and President of Loyola University Chicago
James Thomas – Staff, Member of the Marketing and Communications department
Barth Whitham – Member, Board of Trustees
 
We have also been working to identify a highly experienced, national search firm to assist with the search for our next President. After a competitive process involving extensive review of prior experience, search approach, and references, I am pleased to announce that Isaacson Miller, with a team lead by Julie Filizetti, partner, has been selected. Isaacson Miller (IM) has extensive experience in higher education and the nonprofit sector. They have partnered with numerous top institutions of higher education, including several Jesuit institutions, to conduct president, provost, and dean searches. 
 
The RUPSAC will work closely with IM throughout the search process in fulfilling the following responsibilities: participate in a number of campus listening sessions to solicit input about the attributes that are required and desired in the next Regis President; generate, screen and interview a diverse pool of candidates; make recommendations on the final candidates to the Board of Trustees; and, after the Board makes the final selection, introduce the new President to the Regis community.
 
The RUPSAC’s next step is to develop the presidential leadership profile, which will include background information on Regis and a list of key criteria and qualifications needed in the next leader for Regis. Completing this profile requires the involvement of the entire University community. We will seek  your input and feedback with a series of campus listening sessions the week of April 18th. You can find information about the sessions at regis.edu/presidentialsearch, which will be used to provide up-to-date information on the search process, the leadership profile and any other details of importance to the community. In addition, we will also be establishing a dedicated email account, conducting an online survey and providing an anonymous on-line questionnaire for you to provide input. 

Communication with the Regis community throughout the search process is a priority, and I will provide regular updates.
 
I want to thank all of you for your engagement and support during this important presidential search process. I look forward to working with many of you throughout the coming months.
 
Sincerely,
 
Dr. Jo Ann Rooney
Chair, Regis University Presidential Search Advisory Committee
Executive Committee Board of Trustees