The University of Kansas named Virginia Sapiro, the University of Wisconsin interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, a finalist for its vacant provost and executive vice chancellor position.

Sapiro, who was not named a finalist for the UW provost position, will meet with KU representatives today while visiting the Lawrence, Kan. campus.

Sapiro said it would be "premature" to say whether she would leave Madison if offered the job in Kansas.

"It depends on whether they like me and I like them," she said in a phone interview. "It's about finding a good match."

Sapiro, the first of five finalists named for the KU provost position, said she first learned she was a finalist in December, after being nominated for the position in September.

KU spokesperson Todd Cohen said he expects Chancellor Robert Hemenway to make a selection from the final list of candidates "sometime this spring."

Although Sapiro declined comment on her eligibility for the UW position, some within the university have questioned why she was not included on a list of finalists to succeed former UW Provost Peter Spear, who retired last October.

The next step for Sapiro in the KU interviewing process begins today, when she is scheduled to address KU representatives in a public presentation.

The presentation is part of Sapiro's three-day visit to the KU campus, which Sapiro said she hopes will allow her to "learn more about the university."

"It's a lot like when [students] are looking at colleges," Sapiro said. "You have to ask yourself if this is a place that will use my talents and allow me to continue to grow."

Sapiro added it would be hard to "pinpoint specific things" she was expecting to see from KU.

"There are questions I want to be answered and questions they expect me to," she said.

As for the other candidates, KU officials said Sapiro is the only finalist to be named thus far but noted a complete list is forthcoming.

"The candidates we are considering are all highly superior, highly accomplished scholars from major universities," Cohen said. "We are very pleased with the candidates we have."

Cohen said KU's hiring process is similar to UW's, as both begin with a committee of university faculty members developing a list of recommended finalists. Both then require all finalists to visit the university campus.

Cohen declined comment about the identities of the other candidates being considered.

Sapiro said she was excited for the opportunity to visit KU.

"It's a great research university … It has a beautiful campus in a lovely area," she said. "I look forward to getting to know it."

Sapiro first joined the UW faculty in 1976. Along with her duties as interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, Sapiro is the Sophonisba P. Breckinridge Professor of Political Science and Women's Studies at UW.