Presidential Search Update: A Strong and Diverse Candidate Pool

This message was sent to the WPI community.

In May I wrote to share the Presidential Position Specification developed by the presidential search committee with input from across the community on what makes WPI special and on the opportunities and expectations for our next president. The strong reputation of WPI and the recruiting outreach—including referrals and nominations—combined with this compelling document have already resulted in a strong and diverse candidate pool. Applications will continue to be accepted through July 18. 



Over the balance of the summer, the search committee will narrow down the applicant pool to select candidates to be interviewed, after which time the committee will identify the finalists. In preparation for this next phase the search committee has been engaged in developing tools to evaluate candidates and has attended anti-bias training to assure we are aware of our explicit and implicit biases.



As outlined in our operating model, the search committee’s work will be augmented with advisory groups from across campus, adding 18 community members to the search process. Composed, as the search committee was, with diversity of backgrounds and perspectives in mind, advisory groups will include faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, and academic and administrative leadership. These individuals will also receive training in anti-bias hiring and panel interviewing as they will conduct panel interviews of the search committee’s finalist candidates. 



As we approach the final stages of candidate screening, all community members will be able to submit questions for potential use during interviews. Watch for more on this opportunity later this summer. 



Based on our progress to date, the search committee—informed by input from the advisory groups—should be ready by early fall to recommend a final slate of candidates to the Board of Trustees.



I am grateful for the work of the search committee and to all of you who have contributed—and will contribute—to this process as we seek to find the right leader to serve as WPI’s 17th president. 



Sincerely,



David LaPre '74

WPI Trustee and Chair, Presidential Search Committee