UWSP panel begins search for new chancellor

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAU) – A 19-member panel that will help pick a new chancellor at UW-Stevens Point met for the first time Wednesday.

The campus search and screen committee will conduct a nationwide search for the best person to replace Linda Bunnell. The Denver-native stepped down in May after four years at the helm to return to her private consulting firm.

“We think you’ll be able to find a rich pool of candidates given the university’s reputation,” said UW System president Kevin Reilly. He and three regents attended Wednesday’s meeting to describe the complex process of selecting a new leader.

The campus committee will recommend five finalists to a Board of Regents committee in mid-April. The full board will choose one and appoint the new chancellor at its meeting in May, Reilly said.

“I think it’s all about fit between the right candidate, the campus, the community and the state,” Reilly said in describing the ideal hire. The new chancellor also has to be someone who wants to expand the influence of the university and “somebody who has a real feel for students and student life.”

The new chancellor could make between $194,000 and $237,000 a year.

Reilly defended an outside search firm the UW System hired to help with the search.

“Without them we won’t get the quality and range of people you’ll want in the pool,” he said.