The WSU presidential Search Advisory Committee has narrowed its search down to eight candidates, one of whom will be named the new president of the university in April.

Chair of the Search Advisory Committee, Mike Worthy, said last month the search came down to eight, well-qualified candidates the committee is very excited and confident about. Of these eight candidates, Worthy said four are current presidents, three are provosts and one is in a private sector. He said the next stages of this process include elimination through more interviewing.

Worthy said the questions in the interviews are specific and focus on what each candidate has done in the past in regards to respecting diversity on campus and describing difficult situations they have managed throughout their careers.

Interviewers are looking for strong qualities in fields of leaderships and communication. Being able to actively communicate is one of the critical leadership components being looked at through the ongoing search.

No names of candidates will be released until there is officially a new president early this April. Worthy said the reason for keeping personal information confidential is none of the candidates want to put their current situations at risk. This offers the opportunity to attract highly experienced university presidents who have held impressive jobs for a significant length of time, he said.

Worthy said he believes it is important that people of the WSU community know that the Search Advisory Committee is very happy about the process thus far and remains confident that the candidates are well qualified to take on this position.

Part of this committee is made up of students. Worthy said their feedback has proved to be significant in this process and has been helpful.

Reporting by Shannon Steffen