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U¼ϲ presidential search advisory committee announced

The ¼ϲ Board of Regents announced today the formation of an advisory committee in its search for the 23rd University of ¼ϲ president.

The U¼ϲ Presidential Search Advisory Committee – appointed by ¼ϲ Chair Cecilia Mata – includes 18 members comprised of regents and campus community members. The committee will serve as advisors to ¼ϲ as it searches for and decides on the next president.

“When selecting this committee, I wanted to make sure its members would bring diverse perspectives and a wide array of expertise. Their leadership, insights and contributions will be instrumental to the success of this search process,” said Chair Mata. “As the board embarks on selecting the next president of the University of ¼ϲ, we will do so thoughtfully and with community input to ensure we find a visionary leader who can make a lasting impact on this top-tier research university.”

The advisory committee has one of the largest contingencies of faculty on an ¼ϲ presidential search advisory committee and represents a broad array of campus organizations and leadership roles. Members’ experience includes knowledge of topics central to the university’s continued success such as students’ educational experiences, faculty and alumni relations, financial acumen and the university’s place in the community.

The committee’s first meeting will take place Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in Tucson.

U¼ϲ Presidential Search Advisory Committee members include:

  • Cecilia Mata, Chair, ¼ϲ Board of Regents
  • Fred DuVal, Regent, ¼ϲ Board of Regents
  • Doug Goodyear, Regent, ¼ϲ Board of Regents
  • Tobi Adigun, Undergraduate Student, Bobcats Senior Honorary President and serves on the University Advisory Council
  • Marla Franco, Vice President, Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives
  • David Hahn, Dean of College of Engineering and member of the Academic Deans' Council
  • Erin Hart, Higher Education Policy Advisor to Governor Katie Hobbs
  • Melanie Hingle, Professor of Nutritional Sciences and member of the Graduate Faculty
  • Jenny Lee, Vice President of ¼ϲ International, Dean of International Education and member of the Academic Deans' Council
  • Humberto (Bert) Lopez, President of H.S. Lopez Family Foundation, U¼ϲ Foundation Board of Trustees former chair and serves on the Foundation’s National Leadership Council
  • Fletcher McCusker, CEO of UAVenture Capital and member of U¼ϲ’s FORGE Strategic Advisory Council
  • Lucinda Rankin, Associate Professor of Physiology and Faculty Senator
  • Desireé Reed-Francois, Vice President and Director of Athletics
  • Christina Rocha, Manager of the Research, Innovation & Impact Business Center, and Staff Council Representative to Faculty Senate
  • Stephen Roe Lewis, Governor, Gila River Indian Community
  • Joellen Russell, Distinguished Professor of Geology, Faculty Senator and serves on the Honors Faculty Advisory Council
  • Caleb Simmons, Professor of Religious Studies, Faculty Senator, Committee of Eleven member and Executive Director of Online Education
  • Mark Stegeman, Associate Professor of Economics, Faculty Senator and former Tucson Unified School District board member

U¼ϲ President Robert Robbins announced in April he will step down as president after fulfilling the terms of his current contract. President Robert Robbins will continue to lead the university until his successor is ready to begin her or his tenure.

For more information about the U¼ϲ presidential search, or to submit questions or comments, click here.