Seton Hall continues to search for a new president to take over for interim president, Dr. Mary Meehan. Meehan has been temporarily filling the position, since April 11, 2017.
She began after Dr. A. Gabriel Esteban decided to step down from his position, effective July 1, 2017.
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Dr. Mary Meehan has served as interim president of Seton Hall since Dr. A. Gabriel Esteban stepped down in February 2016.
Megan O’Brien/ Staff Photographer[/caption]
The Board of Regents has appointed a Presidential Search Committee who is responsible for conducting a nationwide search to find someone who will fill this position and whose credentials are in accordance to Seton Hall’s bylaws.
The University has published a Leadership Profile page, which provides a summary of the position and opportunities and expectations to be followed.
As the University is launching its newly formed private medical school and strengthening core curriculum, it hopes to attract a president who will be successful in leading and integrating as a chief executive, according to the website.
Furthermore, presidential duties and expectations include the following: to embrace a strategic position and create a plan, generate additional revenue, build and lead a strong team, and successfully launch the medical school and integrate into the life of the University.
Specifically, the University is searching for someone who is a Roman Catholic priest, withholds a terminal degree and has experience and proof to be an accomplished leader and administrator.
Michael Silvestro, associate vice president of the Department of Human Resources, has been assisting the search committee throughout their process.
In an email, Silvestro wrote that there has been an influx of applications and that the committee is working hard to review from this list. The exact amount of applicants cannot be shared due to confidentiality.
When asked about the current status of the process, he shared that the search firm is reviewing applications on behalf of the committee.
“I can tell you that the search firm has been in communication with some of the candidates and is currently scheduling meetings with others,” Silvestro said.
The deadline for applications is Nov. 22. Dr. Jonathan Farina, associate professor in the English Department, is a part of the committee and shared in an email what they plan to do once the deadline has passed.
“The committee will meet in early December to vet the applicants we have. If we have a pool of strong candidates, we will interview the semi-finalists in mid-January and aim to invite the finalists to campus in February,” Farina wrote. “If all goes according to plan, we might have a person named by the end of March. But we will do what it takes to find the right person.”
Since the University is looking for a male priest as its president, Farina explained why someone with this background will be beneficial to the university and its community.
He believes that having a priest as president will help to preserve values of Catholics and the values of the University. Essentially, entrusting a priest with these responsibilities ensures that the community will be lead with respect and virtue.
“Pursuing paying customers and their financial interests rather than truth, justice, and individuals’ rights to be educated as free, whole, servant leaders and not merely trained to become employees and tax-payers,” Farina said.
Hannah Sakha can be reached at hannah.sakha@student.shu.edu.
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