As the midpoint of the semester approaches, Stockton University continues their national search for the new interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. With the partnership of executive search firm, WittKieffer, and under the leadership of the search committee co-chairs, Dr. Donnetrice Allison and Dean Robert Gregg, the committee invited five candidates on campus for interviews. Over the course of the week, the committee encouraged students and faculty to attend Open Forums via Zoom where each candidate delivered a 15-minute presentation on topics such as the pandemic, social justice and equity, followed up by 45 minutes of questions.

On March 11, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of Bridgeport, Dr. Manyul Im, met with Dr. Donnetrice Allison and Dean Robert Gregg via Zoom. They discussed Dr. Im’s commitment to higher education and his response to demanding challenges on campus amidst COVID-19.

“The Issues about equality are ones that we can can only tackle as a community, when we come together to recognize the deep seeded problem, that’s the only way we can move forward,” said Dr. Im.

Im, who graduated from the University of Michigan with a Ph.D. In Philosophy, has also taught at other campuses such as California State, University of Oklahoma, Fairfield University, and Bridgeport University, where he is currently employed.

“At one point in my life, I had no Idea what provost meant,” chuckled Im. “What a provost does is something that’s ever changing, it’s about being in a position of leadership that responds to a particular needs of an institution. Provost is not special but specialized, in that sense.”

Other candidates who were also interviewed this week included Dr. Norma Bond Burgess, Associate Provost at Lipscomb University, and Dr. James Newell, Former Senior Vice President for Medical Initiatives and Affiliated Campuses at Rowan University.

In the next week the final two candidates will also be holding their webinar presentations along with answering questions from attendees. Students and faculty are encouraged to attend these open forums through Zoom links that were sent by the President’s Office. Those unable to attend the webinar can watch the recordings which are available on the “Home” tab in the goStockton portal under “Announcements.”