Search for new dean at UI’s Tippie College pushed to fall

Montse Fuentes

By CBJ News Staff
news@corridorbusiness.com

University of Iowa officials have extended the search for the next dean of the Tippie College of Business into the fall to allow for on-campus visits and a broader, more diverse candidate pool, according to a statement from the university.

The search committee in early May announced it had narrowed the search to three candidates: Gerard (Gerry) Sanders, dean of the College of Business at the University of Texas at San Antonio; Laku Chidambaram, associate dean for Academic Programs & Engagement in the Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma; and Kurt Carlson, fields professor and associate dean of Faculty & Academic Affairs in the Raymond A. Mason School of Business at the College of William and Mary. A fourth candidate dropped out of contention before they could be announced.

All three of the finalists conducted “virtual campus visits” in late April and early May, but the search committee determined in-person visits would be preferable, according to a release from the UI. The committee will also “continue working to attract a diverse pool of outstanding candidates,” it added.

“I am grateful to the search committee and to faculty and staff in the Tippie College of Business for their continued engagement in this important search,” Executive Vice President and Provost Montse Fuentes said.

When asked by The Daily Iowan whether the current candidates were still being considered, or if the search process was starting over, UI Assistant Vice President for External Relations Jeneane Beck said in an email that the search committee was deciding which candidates would be invited and interviewed in the fall.

“The search committee will determine the candidates invited to participate in person interviews in the fall,” Ms. Beck said. “That may include the candidates who participated in virtual campus visits this spring.”

The search committee is co-chaired by Amy Colbert, professor and department executive officer of management and entrepreneurship in the Tippie College of Business, and Alec Scranton, dean of the College of Engineering. Search firm Witt-Kieffer is assisting with the process.

Members of campus who would like to submit nominations for the position should email UIowaTippieBusinessDean@wittkieffer.com or reach out to a search committee member. CBJ