Presidential Search
The Board of Trustees has begun the process of selecting the next president of Utica University, who will assume the presidency upon the retirement of Dr. Laura Casamento.
A Message from the Search Committee Chair
Dear Members of the Utica University Community:
- The Board of Trustees authorized the formation of a Presidential Search Committee.
- We engaged RH Perry & Associates, an executive search firm specializing in higher education, to help us to determine an appropriate search timeline, recruitment strategy and selection process.
- RH Perry met with constituency groups on campus and online to listen to what various stakeholders believed to be the most important characteristics of Utica University’s next president.
- RH Perry prepared the presidential search profile based on the input from the constituencies and widely advertised the position.
Since then:
- 78 applications were received by the December 20 deadline. Subsequently, one person withdrew, leaving 77 applicants.
- The Presidential Search Committee was provided access to the applications, recorded interviews and references, and with the help of RH Perry, narrowed the pool down to 9 semi-finalists.
In my last communication, I described the composition of the Presidential Search Feedback Group, which should consist of 12 elected representatives. I am happy to announce the Feedback Group members as follows:
- Andrew J. Carr, Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity
- Bernard L. Hyman, Jr., Professor of Practice – Economic Crime Management
- Dr. Jeffrey A. Miller, Professor of Communication
- James H. Monahan, Professor of Practice – Nursing
- Dr. Luke E. Perry, Professor of Political Science
- Dr. Alyssa C. Thomas, Associate Professor of Chemistry
- Dr. Xiao Xiao, Professor of Mathematics
- Cora J. Bruns, Professor of Practice – OT/Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
- Bethany J. Samuels, Director of Student Success
- Meredith A. Lopata, Project Manager – Sr. Administrative Assistant
- Terry Kirabo-Nagginda ’25, representative from Black Student Union
- Amy Colocho ’25, representative from Fuerza Latina
The Feedback Group will report to me, in my role as the Search Committee Chair. Lisa Green, Vice President for Human Resources and Personnel Development, and Dr. Anthony Baird ’91, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Student Transitions/Chief Diversity Officer, will also attend our meetings, as they are involved with the Presidential Search Committee and offer valuable insights from an HR and DEI perspective.
Here’s what will happen next:
- Later this week, the pool of nine semi-finalists will be interviewed in person by the Presidential Search Committee and narrowed down to three or four finalists.
- The three or four finalists will meet with the Board of Trustees, President Casamento, the Presidential Search Committee, and the Presidential Search Feedback Group.
- The Presidential Search Committee and the Presidential Search Feedback Group will provide perspectives on each finalist for the Board to consider.
- On February 17, the Board will vote on who the next President of Utica University will be.
At that point, the Board Chair will begin contract negotiations with the next President. As finalists may be involved in other presidential searches, we do need to provide time for our top candidates to review the contract and respond. However, we anticipate being able to announce the next President of Utica University on or about March 1, 2023.
Sincerely,
Heidi M. Hoeller ’91
Chairperson, Presidential Search Committee
Utica University Board of Trustees
Presidential Search Committee Charter
September 2022
This Search Committee has been created and activated by the Utica University Board of Trustees for the purpose of conducting a nationwide search for Utica College’s 10th President. The Committee will remain active for the duration of the search, and be dissolved upon successful completion of the search.
The Committee will serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Trustees and consists of members from trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and local community leadership. While populated by a broad representation of constituencies, the Committee will conduct the search in the best interests of Utica University, rather than on behalf of any single constituency.
The Committee will conduct the search with the assistance of an experienced search consultant, and identify a highly qualified and diverse candidate pool for the position of president. With this in mind, the Committee is directed to ensure the following:
- Undertake a process that is consultative in nature, seeking input from the Utica University community as to the attributes, skills, and vision that Utica University’s next President should possess.
- The Committee will solicit feedback regarding the short-term and long-term challenges Utica University’s next President is likely to face. This will include an understanding of the challenges, opportunities and overall climate of higher education in the foreseeable future, and in particular, Utica University’s relative competitive position in this regard.
- Together with the input of various advisory parties and constituencies, and guided by the search firm, a job profile and description will be developed that invites and encourages the nomination of all qualified individuals from both traditional and nontraditional backgrounds.
- Once a candidate pool is established, the Committee will commence with a thoroughly comprehensive and professional process of screening, interviewing, vetting, and recommending a small pool of finalist candidates to the full Board of Trustees. According to Article V, Section 8b (6) of the bylaws of Utica University, the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees has responsibility for appointing a Search Committee for the purpose of selecting a President. The decision to accept the Committee’s recommendation rests with the full Board.
- The Committee will keep the Board informed of the status of its work in such way as to ensure a smooth and seamless process through to its conclusion. In this regard the Committee will seek and accept advice and direction, and encourage active participation from the Board as appropriate.
- The Committee will utilize a process that is transparent and fair, and at the same time maintain confidentiality critical to attracting the best candidates and operating at the highest professional standard of conduct.
- The Committee will utilize a best practice approach in commencing with the search process, developing and maintaining documentation templates that follow logical process steps. These templates will be archived for future reference.
- The Committee will seek to communicate appropriate progress reports to constituencies through various means including web pages dedicated to milestone updates.
- Committee members will respect the Search Committee Operating Principles and confidentiality to protect the best interests of the position candidates and Utica University.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert A. Brvenik
Chairperson
Utica University Board of Trustees
RH Perry & Associates
RH Perry & Associates partners with institutions of higher education and other mission-driven organizations to identify outstanding leaders.
RH Perry & Associates is one of the most respected and most successful executive search firms serving higher education today. Established in 1974, the firm has completed over 1,100 assignments in its 46-year history. RH Perry’s higher education practice consists of 14 senior consultants, who bring a well-balanced mix of college and university presidential experience and executive search expertise, as well as a team of search coordinators and associates who support each search. In addition to its main office in North Carolina, the firm maintains offices in eight states and the District of Columbia.
Jean A. Scott, Ph.D. - Senior Consultant
Jean Scott joined RH Perry & Associates as a Senior Consultant in 2012, having served thirty-eight years in faculty and administrative positions in independent and public universities. Her expertise lies in enrollment management at both highly selective and enrollment driven colleges, in strategic planning and implementation, and in developing the human, physical and financial resources that make it possible for students to achieve their goals.
At RH Perry, Jean has been part of the team that completed successful presidential searches for American International College, Christian Brothers University, Hood College, Immaculata University, Quincy University, Siena College, and the University of St. Joseph. In addition, she has successfully led to completion senior administrative searches for institutions including Antioch University Seattle, California State University Fullerton, Christian Brothers University, Immaculata University, Lewis University, Quincy University, San Jose State University, and Wesley College.
During her tenure as President of Marietta College from 2000-2012, Jean wrote and implemented three strategic plans, built a strong leadership team, hired more than half of the College’s faculty, oversaw the transformation of the college’s campus through the construction and renovation of academic, residential and athletic facilities, and completed two successful comprehensive campaigns, raising more than $100 million. Prior to her Marietta College experience, she served as President of Bradford College in Massachusetts and as Interim President of the State University of New York College at Potsdam.
Jean’s administrative career includes work in the fields of enrollment management, student services, and academic administration. She served as Director or Dean of Undergraduate Admission at Duke University, Case Western Reserve University, and The College of William and Mary. She broadened her administrative portfolio as Acting Associate Provost and Associate Provost at William and Mary and Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at the State University of New York College at Potsdam. From her experience in these positions, Jean developed expertise in marketing, planning, and work with the many constituencies of colleges and universities.
Jean began her career as Assistant Professor of History at Duke University, where she received the Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award and the Duke Endowment Teaching Award. She received her undergraduate degree in history from the University of Richmond, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in history from Harvard University. She is a recipient of the University of Richmond’s Distinguished Alumna award and has served as Chair of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio.
Paul G. Doeg - President and Chief Operating Officer
Paul Doeg is President and Chief Operating Officer of RH Perry & Associates. He joined the firm in 2001 and over the last 21 years, Paul has supported more than 400 of the firm’s presidential and senior administrative search assignments, focusing on strategic planning of research and sourcing; candidate identification and evaluation; and in-depth finalist due diligence.
He serves as director of the firm's Value-Added Search Services (VASS) program, which is designed to assist search committees conducting searches on their own with support in key elements of their processes. In August of 2012, Paul assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer, and in 2016 he became President of the firm.
Recently, Paul has completed presidential searches for Indiana Institute of Technology, Drury University, and Antioch University Santa Barbara, his third presidential search for Antioch University. He has served public education extensively in the last 10 years. Recently, Paul has supported presidential searches for Portland Community College, Northeast Iowa Community College, South Arkansas Community College, Montgomery County Community College, St. Cloud Technical and Community College,
Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Greenfield Community College and North Shore Community College. For Montana State University-Billings, he led the search for the Chancellor, as well as the Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs search in 2011 and the Dean of the College of Business search. In addition, he supported five presidential searches for the University of Louisiana System, at McNeese State University, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, the University of New Orleans, Nicholls State University and Northwestern State University.
Paul has led 35 engagements in the California State University (CSU) System, including 24 searches for San José State University since 2010. In addition to his extensive experience serving San José State, he has completed senior administrative assignments for the California State University System campuses in Long Beach, Fullerton, San Bernardino, Stanislaus, Dominguez Hills, Channel Islands and Humboldt.
Paul has served as treasurer on the board of directors of the Livingston, Montana Humane Society and played an integral role in the management of its endowment as well as in the development of the organization’s strategic plan. He has also provided pro bono recruitment consulting to the Western Sustainability Exchange, an organization committed to promoting sustainable resource stewardship in the West. Paul received his B.A. from the University of Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How were the Presidential Search Committee members selected?
The Board of Trustees empowered a steering committee of six trustees to identify potential Search Committee members from among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community leaders who fit the following criteria: strong collaboration and team skills, capability to articulate ideas and opinions with respect to others, ability to provide fair and objective judgment and assessment, interested and enthusiastic, willing to participate actively in the process, transparent, high level of ethical and professional conduct, respect for confidentiality, and most importantly, the ability to put the best interests of Utica University first.
Q: Do you have a search consultant helping you with this process?
Yes, RH Perry & Associates is a national executive search firm that specializes in higher education and has conducted more than 1,000 professional searches. For more on the backgrounds of the specific search consultants working with us, go to the Search Partner section of the website.
Q: Will the Search Committee independently determine the requirements and job description for Utica University’s next president?
No, this will be an inclusive process, with the guidance of RH Perry. This will include meeting with a broad array of stakeholders throughout the fall months to build a job profile that considers the needs of Utica University for the near-term and long-term, based on our competitive position in the higher education landscape today. All the input will be collected and reviewed by the Search Committee and search consultant, and ultimately the full Board of Trustees.
Q: Is the current president involved in the decision-making process for selecting the new president?
President Casamento has graciously agreed to provide input into the requirements and key characteristics needed for the next president, as well as her view of the key challenges for the future. However, as the decision of selecting the next president is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees, she will not participate in the decision-making process for selecting the new president.
Q: How will this process and results be communicated as the search progresses?
There will be periodic updates provided by the Search Committee Chair as important progress and milestones have been achieved. This will be in the form of directed communications to various constituencies in different media forms, or through this website.
Q: How can I keep up to date with the search process?
The best way is to visit this search website periodically. The Search Committee Chair will post periodic updates for the search process on the website.
Q: If I would like to be more involved in the presidential search, how do I find out about the next opportunity to participate?
Besides visiting the website and receiving e-mail notifications, if you have specific comments or input into the process, please forward them to RH Perry or Heidi M. Hoeller, Search Committee Chair. All comments will be appropriately considered. Additionally, there will be various on-site and online opportunities for informational updates and opportunities to provide input. These opportunities will be communicated to larger stakeholder groups via the website and to targeted stakeholder groups via direct communications.
Q: Will the committee be open to accepting applications that do not have a traditional background in academia?
Neither the Search Committee nor the Board has established criteria or qualifications for accepting applications. The position profile/description will be used as the basis for review of applications, and this will be determined through meetings and collection of input throughout the fall months. We will take an inclusive approach to actively consider candidates who have the combination of academic credentials and/or intellectual abilities and relevant experience required to successfully lead and manage Utica University into the future.
Q: How many candidates are there at this point in the process?
As of October 7, 2022, we have not accepted any applications, as the position profile is still being developed at this stage. Our expectation is that we will attract a sufficiently qualified and diverse pool of applicants for this position. We will not evaluate any candidates until the job profile/description has been developed, finalized, and posted.
Q: When will the Search Committee begin interviewing candidates?
After the job description has been published and applications are received, RH Perry will sort and provide the applications to the Search Committee for review. The Search Committee will identify those candidates for RH Perry to interview. Based on those interviews, which will be recorded for the Search Committee to watch, the Search Committee will identify semi-finalists to interview in person. The in-person interviews of semi-finalists is not expected to take place until early February 2023.
Q: I know a great candidate for the position. Can I nominate somebody?
Yes. You are encouraged to nominate people who you believe will make a great president for Utica University. Please use the nomination form on this website. All nominations will be shared with our search firm, who will consider those nominations and reach out to those candidates once the final position profile has been determined.
Q: Will external and internal applicants be treated differently, and if so how?
All candidates will be vetted through RH Perry’s evaluation process. The process of evaluation will be the same for both external and internal candidates, and any/all applicants will be advised of their status as viable candidates on a timely basis.
Q: Will the process be open or confidential relative to candidates?
As described in a letter from the Search Committee Chair dated October 7, 2022, the presidential search will be a confidential process, meaning the Board will not reveal the candidate selected for president until the end of the process. The advantage is that we will receive more qualified candidates, such as sitting presidents, provosts and deans, who otherwise would not apply if the process were made public. Prior to the Board’s vote for a president, they will be presented with a summary of finalists from the Search Committee and they will hear perspectives from a feedback group of constituencies.
Q: Will the Search Committee rank the finalists before submitting to the Board?
After the finalist candidates are interviewed, the Search Committee will present the top two to four candidates to the Board with a narrative explaining each of the candidates’ strengths and weaknesses without any reference to specific ranking. However, if the Committee feels that one candidate is clearly superior to the field, the Board has asked that the preference be clearly communicated.
Q: How will the Board select the new president?
The Board with the assistance of the Search Committee Chair will consider the final recommendations of the Search Committee and the perspectives of the feedback group of constituencies. The Board will take a formal vote based on that information.
Q: What happens if an appropriate candidate is not identified through the recruiting and selection process? Who will lead the university through that transition?
We anticipate that our search will result the selection of a highly qualified individual to become the next president upon President Casamento’s retirement. In the unlikely event that the search and interview processes do not result in a final selection and/or acceptance, it is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees, led by the Chair, along with the advice of others including President Casamento and members of the Board, to select an interim president if an extended search is necessary. The Board will communicate that plan to the University community.
Q: How will the new President be announced?
Upon selection and acceptance, the Board will announce the new president to the Utica University community. It is the intention of the Search Committee and the Board that all members of the University community will have the opportunity to meet and welcome the new president in a timely fashion.
Q: When will our new President start?
President Casamento has announced her intention to retire on or about July 31, 2023. With that in mind, we would like the new president to start so that there is a smooth transition for both President Casamento and the new president.
A steering committee of the Board of Trustees has selected 15 members to represent the constituents of Utica University on the Presidential Search Committee. The Committee is comprised of six trustees, five faculty members, two senior staff members, one student, and one external community leader.
Chair
Heidi Hoeller’91 - Trustee
Members
- Dr. Anthony Baird ’91 - Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Student Transitions/Chief Diversity Officer
- Kenneth Bell ’75 - Trustee
- Robert Brvenik - Board of Trustees Chairperson
- Shad Crowe - Vice President for Facilities and Emergency Management
- Krista DiBerardino ’82 - Trustee
- Alicia Fernandez Dicks - President and CEO, Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties
- Donna Dolansky - Professor of Practice – Accounting
- Dr. Ariel Gratch - Assistant Professor of Communication Arts
- Colby Kusinitz ’23 - President, Student Government Association
- Dr. Stephanie Nesbitt - Dean of the School of Business and Justice Studies and Associate Professor of Risk Management and Insurance
- Dr. Adam Pack - Distinguished Professor of Biology
- Tricia Rutkowski - Parent and Trustee
- Jeremy Thurston ’00 - Board Chairperson-Elect
- Dr. Laurence Zoeckler - Professor of Education
Presidential Search Timeline
| PHASE 1 | NEEDS ASSESSMENT & MARKETING |
| Week of Oct 17 | Search team conducts the pre-search study |
| Week of Oct 24 | Search team submits draft Executive Search Profile for committee review |
| Nov 1 | Profile is posted to institutional website and www.rhperry.com; advertising is placed |
| PHASE 2 | RECRUITMENT STRATEGY |
| Nov 1 - Dec 20 | Search team recruits/develops candidate pool |
| Dec 14 | Search committee begins review of candidate materials |
| Dec 20 | Due date for completed applications |
| PHASE 3 | SELECTION & EVALUATION |
| Dec 20 - Jan 12 | Search team identifies top candidates and performs preliminary due diligence |
| Jan 13 | Search team meets with search committee to review candidate pool and select semi-finalist candidates |
| Week of Jan 30 | Committee conducts semi-finalist interviews and selects finalist candidates |
| PHASE 4 | DUE DILIGENCE & CAMPUS INTERVIEWS |
| Feb 6 - 22 | Search team conducts intensive finalist due diligence |
| Week of Feb 20 | Finalist candidate interviews |
| PHASE 5 | APPOINTMENT & CLOSURE |
| TBD | Search team meets with search committee to review finalist candidates and prepare report for Board of Trustees |
| TBD | The Board of Trustees elects Utica University's next President |
| July / August | The Utica University's next President assumes office |
Chair Updates
Updates from the Chair of the Search Committee, Campus Communications, and Search Notes.
January 31, 2023
Dear Members of the Utica University Community:
As you may recall from my prior communications:
- The Board of Trustees authorized the formation of a Presidential Search Committee.
- We engaged RH Perry & Associates, an executive search firm specializing in higher education, to help us to determine an appropriate search timeline, recruitment strategy and selection process.
- RH Perry met with constituency groups on campus and online to listen to what various stakeholders believed to be the most important characteristics of Utica University’s next president.
- RH Perry prepared the presidential search profile based on the input from the constituencies and widely advertised the position.
Since then:
- 78 applications were received by the December 20 deadline. Subsequently, one person withdrew, leaving 77 applicants.
- The Presidential Search Committee was provided access to the applications, recorded interviews and references, and with the help of RH Perry, narrowed the pool down to 9 semi-finalists.
In my last communication, I described the composition of the Presidential Search Feedback Group, which should consist of 12 elected representatives. I am happy to announce the Feedback Group members as follows:
- Andrew J. Carr, Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity
- Bernard L. Hyman, Jr., Professor of Practice – Economic Crime Management
- Dr. Jeffrey A. Miller, Professor of Communication
- James H. Monahan, Professor of Practice – Nursing
- Dr. Luke E. Perry, Professor of Political Science
- Dr. Alyssa C. Thomas, Associate Professor of Chemistry
- Dr. Xiao Xiao, Professor of Mathematics
- Cora J. Bruns, Professor of Practice – OT/Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
- Bethany J. Samuels, Director of Student Success
- Meredith A. Lopata, Project Manager – Sr. Administrative Assistant
- Terry Kirabo-Nagginda ’25, representative from Black Student Union
- Amy Colocho ’25, representative from Fuerza Latina
The Feedback Group will report to me, in my role as the Search Committee Chair. Lisa Green, Vice President for Human Resources and Personnel Development, and Dr. Anthony Baird ’91, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Student Transitions/Chief Diversity Officer, will also attend our meetings, as they are involved with the Presidential Search Committee and offer valuable insights from an HR and DEI perspective.
Here’s what will happen next:
- Later this week, the pool of nine semi-finalists will be interviewed in person by the Presidential Search Committee and narrowed down to three or four finalists.
- The three or four finalists will meet with the Board of Trustees, President Casamento, the Presidential Search Committee, and the Presidential Search Feedback Group.
- The Presidential Search Committee and the Presidential Search Feedback Group will provide perspectives on each finalist for the Board to consider.
- On February 17, the Board will vote on who the next President of Utica University will be.
At that point, the Board Chair will begin contract negotiations with the next President. As finalists may be involved in other presidential searches, we do need to provide time for our top candidates to review the contract and respond. However, we anticipate being able to announce the next President of Utica University on or about March 1, 2023.
Further information on the presidential search can be found at www.utica.edu/presidential-search.
Sincerely,
Heidi M. Hoeller ’91
Chairperson, Presidential Search Committee
December 13, 2022
Dear Members of the Utica University Community:
As previously communicated, the Presidential Search Committee will be reviewing the applications submitted for the next President of Utica University. Applications are due to RH Perry & Associates, our search partner, by December 20,. Search Committee members will review applications through
January 13.
Candidates will be identified for second interviews, with a goal of identifying three to four finalists by early February. Each of the finalists will meet with a Feedback Group, which will report its views to the Trustees. Trustees will meet with each of the finalists and consider input provided from the Feedback Group before voting on the next president.
The Presidential Search Committee has discussed the composition of the Feedback Group and voted
on the following:
- The Feedback Group shall consist of 12 members – eight faculty members, two PSAC members, and two students.
- The eight faculty seats shall consist of two faculty members from each of the following: Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Math, Business and Justice Studies, and Health Professions and Education. The Deans in each of these areas will solicit volunteers to serve and will hold an election if more than two faculty members volunteer for an area.
- PSAC will have two seats; HEOP Counselors and Librarians shall be included in the eligibility for a PSAC seat.
- We have asked the President of the Black Student Union and the President of Fuerza Latina to identify a member from their respective organizations to be a part of this process.
- Vice President for Human Resources & Personnel Development Lisa Green and Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Student Transitions/Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Anthony Baird ’91 will serve as coordinators for the Feedback Group.
- Representatives to the Feedback Group will be elected through their respective groups by Friday, January 27.
Further information on the presidential search can be found at www.utica.edu/presidential-search
Sincerely,
Heidi M. Hoeller ’91
Chairperson, Presidential Search Committee
November 8, 2022
Dear Members of the Utica University Community:
Thank you to all who took the time last month to provide feedback to RH Perry & Associates on what qualities you value in a presidential candidate.
Matt Kilcoyne and Dr. Jean Scott heard from hundreds of stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and trustees. They used that feedback to develop a customized presidential search profile for Utica University’s next president. The profile has been reviewed by the presidential search committee, many of whom attended the feedback sessions to hear your comments firsthand.
I am pleased to share a link to Utica University’s presidential search profile here: https://rhperry.com/profile/uticapresident_profile.pdf
Both RH Perry and the University have begun to advertise the position. Applications will be collected by RH Perry through December 20, 2022.
Further information on the presidential search can be found on our website: https://www.utica.edu/presidential-search
Sincerely,
Heidi M. Hoeller ’91
Chairperson, Presidential Search Committee
October 7, 2022
Dear Members of the Utica University Community:
I am pleased to announce that our presidential steering committee has elected RH Perry & Associates, Inc. as the search firm to facilitate the search for Utica University’s next president. Matt Kilcoyne and Dr. Jean Scott may sound familiar, as they were, incidentally, the same search team from RH Perry that conducted the presidential search seven years ago.
As you know, the world we live in has changed since the last time we conducted a search for a president. These changes have undoubtedly had an impact on the hiring environment. During the final search firm selection process, the committee asked search firms, including RH Perry, how these changes would impact the pool of prospective candidates. The search firms told us to expect a smaller pool of candidates compared to the size of the pool we experienced seven years ago.
Search firms, including RH Perry, recommended the committee undertake a “confidential search” process to potentially broaden the prospective pool of qualified candidates. A confidential search means the candidates are not introduced to the University community until a president is announced. The advantage to the University is clear: we will obtain a more qualified pool of candidates, such as sitting presidents, provosts, or deans of other institutions,
who do not wish to have their candidacy made public.
We do, however, respect and value input from the various stakeholders who will be interacting with our new president: professors, faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and community leaders, just to name a few. Therefore, the committee worked with RH Perry to develop a process where we can still obtain input from a representative group of constituencies to obtain feedback on our finalist candidates.
Later in the search process, we will identify individuals to serve on a feedback panel, who will have the opportunity to meet with two to four finalist candidates identified by the presidential search committee. Perspectives from the feedback panel will be shared directly with the Board of Trustees prior to the Board’s vote for a president.
In the meantime, RH Perry will plan to be on campus October 19-20 to solicit feedback on what qualities you are looking for in a presidential candidate. Here are the dates they will be meeting with constituency groups:
| October 19, 2022 | ||
| 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. | Faculty Session | Hislop Auditorium (Thurston Hall) |
| 2:00 – 3:00 p.m | Student Session | Hislop Auditorium (Thurston Hall) |
| 3:15 – 4:15 p.m. | Staff Session | Hislop Auditorium (Thurston Hall) |
| 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Alumni Session | Hislop Auditorium (Thurston Hall) |
| October 20, 2022 | ||
| 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. | Staff Session | Willard Conference Room (DePerno Hall) |
| 11:00 – 12:00 p.m. | Student Session | Willard Conference Room (DePerno Hall) |
| 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Faculty Session | Willard Conference Room (DePerno Hall) |
Zoom links for virtual participation will be provided in follow-up e-mails to each group.
Please make time in your schedule to participate.
I will continue to keep the University community updated as the search progresses. Today, we are also launching a presidential search website, where you can visit to find out the latest developments. That website will be available at utica.edu/presidential-search.
Sincerely,
Heidi M. Hoeller ’91
Chairperson, Presidential Search Comm
September 22, 2022
Dear fellow members of the Utica University Community,
As Board Chairperson Bob Brvenik ’77 shared in his letter of August 23, the diligent process of identifying Utica University’s next president has begun.
Today, I would like to provide a brief update, specifically to share the list of individuals Chairperson Brvenik and I have appointed to serve as members of the Presidential Search Committee. The Committee is comprised of six trustees, including Bob and myself, five faculty members, two senior staff members, one student, and one external community leader. They are:
- Dr. Anthony Baird ’91, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Student Transitions/Chief Diversity Officer
- Kenneth Bell ’75, Trustee
- Shad Crowe, Vice President for Facilities and Emergency Management
- Krista DiBerardino ’82, Trustee
- Alicia Fernandez Dicks, President and CEO, Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties
- Donna Dolansky, Professor of Practice – Accounting
- Dr. Ariel Gratch, Assistant Professor of Communication Arts
- Colby Kusinitz, President, Student Government Association
- Dr. Stephanie Nesbitt, Dean of the School of Business and Justice Studies and Associate Professor of Risk Management and Insurance
- Dr. Adam Pack, Distinguished Professor of Biology
- Tricia Rutkowski, Parent and Trustee
- Jeremy Thurston ’00, Board Chairperson-Elect
- Dr. Laurence Zoeckler, Professor of Education
As you may imagine, the process of finding the right successor for President Casamento is a significant undertaking. Therefore, we will be engaging an executive search firm specializing in higher education to help us determine an appropriate search timeline, recruitment strategy, and selection process. By the end of this month, we anticipate finalizing the selection of a search firm and engaging with the Committee to implement the recommended search protocol, which we expect will take several months.
I will continue to update you in the weeks and months ahead as our exciting search for our University’s 10th president proceeds.
Sincerely,
Heidi M. Hoeller ’91
Chairperson, Presidential Search Committee
August 23, 2022
Dear Members of the Utica University Community,
As you are most likely aware, President Casamento has informed the Board of Trustees of her intention to retire on July 31, 2023. On behalf of the Board, I want to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation for her outstanding leadership and remarkable record of
accomplishments over the last six years.
It would be difficult to overstate the magnitude of what we have achieved since President Casamento took the oath of office in 2016. By every measure, her presidency has greatly strengthened this institution and secured the promise of its founding mission well into the future.
A key priority of President Casamento’s tenure has been to improve student outcomes, the quality of the student experience, and affordability. Through several innovative programs such as the four-year guarantee and the tuition reset, our six-year graduation rate has significantly
improved, while student debt has decreased by 30%, on average, at graduation.
Under President Casamento’s leadership, we have also seen a dramatic expansion of the University’s physical footprint, with the construction of impressive new facilities to support learning and research, career readiness, athletics and co-curricular activities, residence life, and more. Remarkably, these essential campus improvements have been achieved in large measure through innovative strategies that leverage community partnerships and the generosity of friends of the University. Fundraising has increased dramatically over the course of her presidency, with both donor support and grant funding reaching record levels.
As an extremely able steward of the University’s financial well-being, President Casamento has led efforts to contain costs and increase revenues minimizing institution debt.
It is no exaggeration to say that her six years have been marked by several challenges, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic and societal disruptions that resulted from it. Through it all, President Casamento’s steady, insightful leadership kept us moving forward with vision and confidence, skillfully navigating the complexities of pandemic response while always keeping the health and safety of the campus community as her top priority.
The Board of Trustees has begun the careful process of identifying the best candidate to succeed President Casamento and lead Utica University as its tenth president. I am glad to announce that Trustee Heidi Hoeller has agreed to chair the presidential search committee. Chair-Elect Jeremy
Thurston and I look forward to sharing more details about the search process, search committee membership, and timeline in the coming weeks.
Over these six years, we have been the beneficiaries of President Casamento’s uniquely dynamic and inspiring brand of leadership. With the support of the entire Utica University Community, I am confident that we will find our next great leader, deserving of the opportunity to carry her
legacy forward and enable us to thrive on!
Sincerely,
Robert Brvenik ’77
Chair, Board of Trustees
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Heidi M. Hoeller ’91
Heidi M. Hoeller ’91
Chairperson, Presidential Search Committee
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