Update on Search for Vice President Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (VP, CMCO)

Department(s):

Office of the President

We are writing to provide an update on the search for our next Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (VP, CMCO).  
 
In May, the search committee was convened and an executive profile of the position was developed with input received in listening sessions conducted with members of the WPI community. The profile presents a clear description to prospective candidates of WPI and its special attributes, a summary of the opportunities for and expectations of our next Vice President/CMCO, and a list of the qualifications and personal characteristics that they will need to be successful in this role. A list of the members of the search committee and the position profile can be found here.  
 
Throughout the summer, the search committee, with assistance from the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller, developed and evaluated a strong and diverse pool of candidates. Over 140 applicants expressed interest in this opportunity, with many noting the distinctiveness of WPI as a key factor in their interest. Last week, the committee conducted preliminary Zoom interviews with 14 candidates and, from that process, has selected a group of candidates to invite for in-person interviews in early September. 
 
From there, the search committee will recommend a small number of finalists for  on-campus interviews with key stakeholder groups; this process will allow the candidates to meet with members of our community and for those community members to provide feedback to the search committee.  

After this, the search committee will submit their recommendation to President Wang, who will select the final candidate.   

We are optimistic that we will complete the search process this fall with a candidate starting at WPI by the beginning of 2025. 

Please stay tuned for updates.  

Philip Clay, Senior Vice President Student Affairs and Enrollment Management,  
Patti Newcomer-Small ‘90, Trustee 

Search Committee Co-Chairs