A national search firm hired to aid in the search of the University of New Mexico’s next president released a 12-page report recently detailing what will be required of the university’s future leader.
Among those traits, the next president of the state’s largest university must continue to improve student graduation and retention rates, balance the budget as state appropriations shrink and “lead and manage a complex organization,” according to the report from the firm Isaacson, Miller.
The report also addressed the high turnover rate of recent UNM presidents – no president in the past two decades has served beyond their initial contract.
“These concerns can be addressed by a leader who articulates an identity and vision for the university, and communicates clearly and effectively to generate buy-in from all stakeholders,” the report stated.
The next president will oversee a budget of $2.8 billion and a student population of 34,000 students across five campuses in New Mexico. He or she will also take over a university with falling student enrollment and a shrinking budget, but also one that has seen increased graduation and student retention rates in recent years.
UNM will pay the firm $100,000 and additional $11,000 for indirect expenses and actual expenses such as travel costs.
Regents President Rob Doughty said he was pleased with the profile, and that it was built “on input from the UNM campus community and needs of the university looking forward.”
“We believe that it will serve as an instructive invitation to experienced and passionate leaders who share our vision for UNM,” Doughty said in a statement to the Journal.
Other tasks for the president include building new relationships across the state and nation that allow for projects similar to Innovate ABQ, a public partnership among the city, the county and private partners to foster economic growth.
The new president will also have to work with the Board of Regents to “develop positive and productive working relationships with them.”
Outgoing President Bob Frank stepped down from his post at the end of 2016 following tensions with the board tied to documents critical of Frank leaked to the media. He is currently a finalist for a position as the president of Ohio University.
The Board of Regents has said it hopes to find a new president by early spring, but in the interim they appointed Provost Chaouki Abdallah as acting president.