The President of a multi-campus university must live up to many expectations, and WSU’s former president, the late Elson S. Floyd, left big shoes to fill.

As the presidential search continues, WSU officials determined last week the exact qualifications to help determine who is in the next set of candidates.

These qualifications and more were determined by a range of internal and external university stakeholders who attended 26 listening sessions this fall and interacted with people across the nation through the presidential search website.

“We’ve received outstanding feedback from the University community that played a critical role in establishing the criteria to guide the screening and selection of our candidates,” wrote Mike Worthy, chair of the search advisory committee and a member of the WSU Board of Regents, in a press release published by the university. “The Cougar Nation has spoken—thoughtfully and eloquently. We’re very grateful for that input.”

Being a driver of state economy, increasing access to higher education, and securing financial resources were a few of the criteria highlighted by the presidential search committee.

On the presidential search website, the opportunities and challenges that must be compared among the candidates include:

– Advancing WSU’s Position as the state of Washington’s university and an engine of the state’s economy

– Accelerating WSU’s trajectory toward national prominence as a leader in helping solve the world’s problems and creating a promising future

– Sustaining efforts to increase access to higher education in the state, and ensure the academic success and personal growth of WSU students

– Transforming WSU into a system of campuses working together seamlessly to accomplish the university’s objectives

– Integrating the talents and energies of the Greek system more fully into the life of the university

– Inspiring, leading and instilling “Cougar Pride” across the university, the state of Washington, and throughout the world

– Developing and stewarding the financial resources to fulfill WSU’s aspirations

– Leading and managing a complex and dynamic organization

Other qualities and experience expected include:

– A doctorate or equivalent terminal degree

– A history working with academic and administrative leadership at the level of president, provost, or other senior administration power will be evident

– A commitment to the land-grant mission of WSU will be held

– A passion for students

– A commitment to diversity and inclusion will be held

– A thorough understanding of philanthropic fundraising

– Maintain a comprehension and experience of balancing the needs of intercollegiate athletics

– Hold knowledge of national and global business, public policy and cultural matters

– Have the ability to thrive in the public sector with well-developed political and diplomatic skills

– Have resilience and stamina for the task at hand

Search firm Isaacson, Miller will manage the selection based on this criteria and its detailed summaries.

The Board of Regents anticipates it will name the new president during the spring semester.

More details regarding the presidential search process and the criteria used in the search can be found online at presidentialsearch.wsu.edu.

Reporting by Lance Lijewski