Presidential Search Process Continues with Input Phase, Selection of National Search Firm

More than 80 hours of internal and external listening sessions completed with additional sessions planned

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WACO, Texas (Oct. 21, 2016) – Baylor University’s Presidential Search Committee has completed more than 80 hours of listening sessions – both on and off campus – with various groups of faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends and University administrators, who have provided their valuable input regarding the professional and personal characteristics and experiences important to the University’s next president.

Additional listening sessions are planned this month. Individual input also may be made online through Nov. 18 through a form available at www.baylor.edu/president/search.

The committee also has selected the worldwide executive search firm of Heidrick & Struggles, which specializes in chief executive and senior level assignments, to engage candidates in the search process. One of the first executive search firms in the United States, Heidrick & Struggles has grown to have global impact in every major industry including higher education. A hallmark of the firm’s approach is the partnership the Heidrick & Struggles team builds with clients.

“We are deeply grateful to Baylor faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the University, who have shared their important perspectives with the committee. Their input is invaluable, and we continue to listen to all thoughts and ideas, as we together move forward in the process of selecting Baylor University’s next president,” said Bob Brewton, B.B.A. ’74, chair of the Presidential Search Committee. “We also welcome the expertise of Heidrick & Struggles. They are an exceptional organization, international in scope, and they will conduct a very thorough and far-reaching search process for the University’s 15th president.”

To date, the search committee has conducted:

Six external Listening Sessions around the state during October, with two more planned:

• Dallas: two sessions
• Waco: two sessions with alumni and community leaders
• Houston: two sessions
• San Antonio: scheduled for Oct. 25 at First Baptist Church of San Antonio
• Austin: scheduled for Oct. 25 at Hillcrest Baptist Church

Internal Listening Sessions with faculty, staff, administrators and students:
Faculty

• 31 Faculty Sessions (by unit, faculty of color, Faculty Senate)

• 12 Staff Listening Sessions (by unit, staff of color, Staff Council)

• 25 Interviews with Deans and Associate Deans
• 6 Listening Sessions with Department Chairs, Center Directors and Program Directors
• 12 Interviews with Senior Leaders (President and Provost Offices)

• Solicited input from more than 85 student leaders representing a wide range of student groups and organizations
• The search committee plans to solicit input from more than 50 additional student leaders and hold listening sessions open to all undergraduate and graduate students

In addition, more than 600 individual input forms have been submitted to date through the presidential search website.

More information and updates on progress on the presidential search process at Baylor University are available at www.baylor.edu/president/search.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.