By Dan Adkins

Formerly a president at two public and private higher education institutions, Jan D. Greenwood has conducted more than 150 searches for executives in education, health care and other fields.

Heading the A.T. Kearney team is Jan D. Greenwood, vice president for education practice for A.T. Kearney Executive Search.  Formerly a president at two public and private higher education institutions, Greenwood has conducted more than 150 searches for executives in education, health care and other fields.

Following Greenwood’s recommendation, the committee voted to advertise the UK presidency in the Chronicle of Higher Education and other media that target university administrators and faculty.  The committee set a suggested target date of Aug. 31 for receiving letters of interest and resumes.

Greenwood noted that among the primary skills to be sought in a university president are leadership, a proven track record, management and resource development.  JoEtta Wickliffe, chair of the search committee, emphasized that a final list of desired attributes for candidates will be prepared in September when the committee completes a series of town forums currently being held across Kentucky.  Those forums are designed to obtain citizen input on the desirable qualities of UK’s next president.

Greenwood said UK should attract many strong candidates for the presidency, noting the governor and state legislature have enacted a series of incentives to encourage UK to achieve top 20 status among public universities.

The committee also heard from 18 students who are assisting with UK’s summer advising conferences for incoming freshmen and transfer students.  The students urged the committee to select a president who will work to increase student retention, be accessible and active in student events, have clear-cut goals, demonstrate strong morals and values and encourage diversity.