The School of Communications (SOC) Dean Search committee worked with Witt/Kieffer, an executive search firm, to generate applications for the SOC Dean position. The search committee has received 33 applications. Applicants are from 20 different U.S. states and India.
The search committee will hold on-campus interviews with finalists in April and hopes to fill the position by June 1. The search committee worked with Witt/Kieffer to develop a job description earlier this semester. The description was posted and advertised in early February.
The job description in part states:
“This leading-edge School of Communications is poised for growth and excellence with expansion of its physical facilities planned for 2012. It seeks a dynamic leader to contribute to the further development of its communications programs dedicated to student success.”
The job description was created with input from the search committee, Witt/Kieffer, Webster Human Resources, Webster Academic Affairs and students. The input of students came from an open forum held in December.
Gary Ford, associate professor and director of graduate studies for the communications and journalism department moderated the forum. The majority of the approximately 40 students at the forum said they wanted a dean similar to current Dean Debra Carpenter.
Students expressed desire for a dean with an open door policy who is easily accessible.
Carpenter has been SOC Dean for 16 years. Before obtaining the position, Carpenter taught in the SOC for five years. She will step down at the end of the spring 2012 semester.
Carpenter will return to teaching in Webster’s SOC in spring of 2013, after going on sabbatical.
The search committee was formed in November. The committee includes faculty and staff from the SOC, Information Technology, School of Education and the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology.
“I’m pleased to hear that Webster University is highly regarded in the field and there is a lot of recognition and respect for the School of Communications,” committee co-chair Barbara O’Malley, associate vice president and chief communications officer, said in a press release.
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