The Chancellor Search Committee finalized and published the Chancellor Search Leadership statement Nov. 13, which lists requirements for potential candidates.

The document, which can be found on the official website of the Chancellor Search Committee, gives a description of the role of Appalachian State University’s chancellor, a summary of the university’s make-up and a list of specific candidate requirements.

“This is an exceptional opportunity for an outstanding chief executive officer to elevate a unique, successful institution to even greater levels of accomplishment and service,” according to the statement.

Michael Steinback, committee spokesman, said that the finalized list of requirements was made after executive search firm Baker and Associates LLC and the committee narrowed down common recommendations made by the committee and those who participated in a survey solicited through the chancellor search website.

“We feel we did a very transparent, comprehensive development and understanding of what [the committee] felt were their priorities and what was most important,” Steinback said.

Steinback said the search committee is made up of 21 members including faculty, students, staff, administration, trustees, alumni and the community.

“It was very much a shared exercise,” Steinback said.

The statement, which took months to develop, lists requirements such as strong leadership skills, proven fundraising skills, the demonstration of skills to live and work in a small university town and a forward and innovative thinker.

Steinback said that the description would help the committee screen prospective candidates accordingly, but that the statement was not just for the committee’s use.

“[Candidates] have access to this leadership statement,” Steinback said. “They can also begin to understand what the expectations are.”

Steinback said the university went public with advertising and promoting the position about three weeks ago and the committee is under a general timeline.

“Our expectation is the search committee will meet Dec. 17 and at that time will review a grave number of candidate resumes and will work together to narrow that down to somewhere between eight and 12 candidates, at which time we will conduct interviews off campus with those eight to 12 candidates the third week of January,” Steinbeck said.

Story: NICOLE BELLAMY, News Reporter