The search for a new University of Wisconsin Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment is nearing an end after a committee announced five finalists for the position Monday.
The finalists are Associate Director of Admissions at the University of Chicago Adele Brumfield, Senior Associate Director of Admissions at the University of Southern California Gary Clark Jr., Vice President and Director of Admissions at Denison University Perry Robinson, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of South Florida J. Robert Spatig and Associate Dean of Admissions at the University of Minnesota Medical School Paul White.
Last fall, after conversing with Chancellor Biddy Martin, a financial aid committee and other administrators, the committee — composed of administrators, faculty, staff and students — finalized the job’s description and started accepting nominations and applications.
The committee’s goal was to find candidates who can handle the challenges the job offers, have a clear vision for the future and possess the skills necessary to propel the university in the desired direction, Dean of the School of Education and Chair of the committee Julie Underwood said.
Following a review process that included an analysis of written applications and references and several interviews via Skype, the committee chose the five candidates for the position.
Throughout April, each of the candidates will travel to UW to spend a day on campus attending public forums, interviews and other campus events.
The committee chose to bring all five finalists to UW so both students and community members would be able to observe their leadership and communication skills, Underwood said.
She added the candidates will also receive a customized tour by a student guide because UW must also market itself to the finalists in order to attract the most suitable candidate.
“We need students to participate because we want to present the university in the best light, and the students are our best light,” Underwood said.
The committee’s decision to hold the appointment dates in the time between spring break and graduation stemmed from its hope to involve as many students as possible in the public forums both to ask questions and to provide feedback, Underwood said.
After completion of this portion of the interview process, the committee will review the candidates and ultimately Associate Vice Chancellor Joanne Berg will decide who will be hired.
“The admission position at [UW] presents a uniquely different professional challenge,” Robinson said. “I have spent nearly 30 years in the small, residential college environment, and the opportunity to work in a very different setting — at a world class university — is an exciting prospect.”
Fellow candidate White also expressed excitement in his nomination as a finalist for the position due to his immense respect for UW.
“I applied for the position because I hold [UW] in the highest regard,” White said. “As someone who sees many applicants from Madison, I have been very impressed with the quality of students there.”
The chosen finalist will take over from interim director Tom Reason. The position was formerly held by Robert Seltzer.
