John Robinson, ’94, chairman of the Presidential Search Committee, sent out a survey in an email to the Washington and Lee community on Feb. 24. The survey marks the start of the second phase of the search process: definition.
The Presidential Search Committee is made up of 17 members who will recommend a replacement for President Will Dudley, according to previous reporting by the Ring-tum Phi.
The survey asked what issues should be prioritized, what the most important personal characteristics of a successful president are and what the most important prior work experience is for the next president. These questions were developed by the committee and executive search firm Issacson, Miller, according to Robinson.
The raw data results of the survey will not be released, according to Robinson.
Robinson said the survey is just one part of the definition process.
“Community input helps us understand the priorities, values, and leadership qualities the W&L community believes are most important in our next president,” Robinson said. “That feedback will help us develop a presidential profile that will guide the search and be used to introduce the opportunity to prospective candidates.”
The survey has received over 1,600 responses, according to Robinson. It will remain open through March.
“We were pleased to have strong early engagement,” Robinson said.
In addition to the survey, undergraduate listening sessions will be held starting the week on March 9, according to Robinson.
“Both [the survey and listening sessions] are designed to ensure broad participation from across the W&L community,” Robinson said.
The presidential search process will consist of four total phases, according to the committee website. Phase one included creating the search committee and selecting Issacson, Miller to work with the committee.
The executive search firm will help recruit a pool of candidates for the presidency. Founder John Isaacson and partner Daniel Rodas will head the team from Isaacson, Miller.
“The firm has one of the largest higher education executive search practices in the United States, and has placed presidents, provosts and deans at the country’s leading colleges and universities,” according to the search committee’s website.
Robinson said he’s confident that Issacson, Miller and Washington and Lee’s culture will bring in strong candidates.
“Cultural alignment is essential,” Robinson said. “W&L has distinctive traditions — such as the Honor System, civility, and a deep commitment to academic rigor — and it’s important that our next president understands and values those elements of the university. Washington and Lee is approaching this search from a position of strength, and I am confident we will attract outstanding candidates for this role.”
Isaacson, Miller also offers a forum to nominate someone for the university presidency on its website. Community members are welcome to reach out to and email the search committee to share input as well, Robinson said.
Phase two does not have a definite end date. Once the committee has developed a candidate profile, it will move on to phase three: discovery. Discovery will include recruiting applicants, reviewing presidential applications and conducting preliminary interviews, according to the website.
In the meantime, the first undergraduate listening session will be held in Northen Auditorium on March 10 from noon to 1 p.m., Robinson said. The second will be the following week on March 17 from 7 to 8 p.m. To attend, sign up online.
“Our focus is listening to the community and gathering input,” Robinson said. “That feedback will help us develop a presidential profile describing the leadership qualities and priorities we are seeking. The profile will be shared publicly on the presidential search website and will help guide the search and introduce the opportunity to prospective candidates.”
