A nationwide search has been ongoing for a permanent dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Oakland University.

In the fall of 2012, a committee was formed and is currently working with a search firm called Academic Search to find candidates. There are 12 members in the committee and professor and chair of the psychology department, Todd Shackelford, is serving as committee chair.

“Academic Search is also engaged with assisting the current open searches for provost as well as the dean for the School of Business Administration,” said Tamara Jhashi, acting dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Candidate criteria

A successful candidate will possess an earned doctorate and the credentials necessary for a tenured appointment in a college department at the rank of professor, according to the Academic Search guidelines.

OU is also looking for a candidate that has significant leadership in an academic environment.

Jhashi has been in her position since late August after being selected to serve, but she is not an applicant to become the next permanant dean.

By not being an applicant, Jhashi  is qualified to be a committee member as well, according to Shackelford.

“It is great to have Jhashi on the committee because she has experience working as a dean,” Shakelford said.

The review of applications began at the close of the submission period Feb. 22, according to Jhashi.

Sorting through the selection

After narrowing the applicants down, who will remain anonymous throughout the process, the committee will fly them to Metro Detroit for personal interviews.

Once they have three or four prospects, the applicants will be asked to come to OU where they will meet with the full committee, faculty members from the many branches of the CAS and students.

It is very important to get feedback from a wide range of university members, according to Shakelford.

The committee is following a process that has been in place for years and was formed after the previous CAS dean, Ron Sudol, retired. Sudol served as dean for two terms.

Keeping confidentiality

The committee has put in place an unofficial contract maintaining the confidentiality of the applicants.

The committee also will not show favoritism to those applicants that may already be working for OU.

“We have equal opportunity and equal fairness in choosing a dean,” Shakelford said.

The new dean will assume office beginning July 2012.