Expect list of three to five finalists for YSU president by mid-December

By Harold Gwin

Semifinalist candidate interviews will be held off-campus in early December.

YOUNGSTOWN — A search team seeking the next president of Youngstown State University expects to have a short list of three to five finalists to present to the board of trustees by mid-December.

Scott Schulick, chairman of both the search committee and the board of trustees, said Nov. 12 is the official cut-off date for applications, but the committee intends to begin reviewing candidates much sooner. It will start looking over resumes in late October and early November, he said.

YSU is looking for a successor to David C. Sweet, who is retiring in June 2010 after serving as university president for a decade.

The trustees hired the Media. Pa., firm of Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates to assist in that process, and the consultant company, after meeting with various campus constituencies, has prepared a “Profile of the Institution and Position” to help guide the search.

YSU is paying Storbeck/Pimentel $109,250 for its services and will pick up the tab for candidate and consultant travel, advertising and more.

The Profile of the Institution and Position will be used in advertising as part of the recruitment process for a new president.

It reviews YSU’s history, mission, governance, academics, facilities, budgets and more and focuses on some key issues the new president will be expected to address.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.