By Mariah Depass & Communications Staff
During the Florida A&M University (FAMU) National Alumni Association Annual Convention on May 25, the University’s Board of Trustees Presidential Review Committee will meet with alumni stakeholders to receive feedback about their expectations for our next president.
The event will be the fourth meeting trustees have held with stakeholders in an effort to ensure that the Rattler community is fully engaged in the process of creating a profile for the 12th president of FAMU.
“We want to get it right, so we’re taking our time and getting input so that when the decision is made, it’s made from all of our family coming together,” said Committee Chair Thomas Dortch.
Last month, on April 13, the trustees hosted forums with faculty and students.
Among the requests made by students were:
• “It’s important for the president to be genuine because his or her aura will be transmitted throughout the entire university.”
• “In order for FAMU to get better, we have to have a captain of the ship that’s excellent at communicating.”
• “The next president should be able to enhance the reputation of FAMU and take the institution forward.”
On April 18, the trustees met with faculty members to receive their input. Board of Trustees Co-chair Kimberly Moore emphasized “the importance faculty play in advancing the goals of the institution” and why hearing from them was so important.
Francine L. Huff, the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication’s Knight Chair for Student Achievement, explained that faculty are looking for someone who’s forward thinking and innovative.
“We have to make sure the person is a visionary leader… with the expertise and connections to take us where we need to be,” Huff said.
Trustees are distributing an online questionnaire to collect more input from stakeholders.
More information about the alumni meeting and other meetings is available at http://www.famu.edu/index.cfm?BOT&AgendasandMinutes.
