Nearly three dozen community leaders showed up at Mississippi University for Women”s first in a day-long series of public forums designed to elicit feedback on the qualities the campus and community want to see in the college”s next president.
The bulk of the sessions will take place at Cochran Hall, with the last session — which is open to the campus as well as the community — taking place at 2:45 p.m.
Several of this morning”s attendees praised current Interim President Allegra Brigham, who has held the position since last June, when then-President Claudia Limbert retired. Brigham, an alumnae of the college and former CEO and general manager of 4-County Electric Power Association, brought business acumen as well as an intimate knowledge of “what the university is all about,” said Jacqueline DiCicco, owner of Jacqueline DiCicco Esthetics.
By accepting the interim role, Brigham automatically disqualified herself from applying for the full-time position, according to rules established by the state College Board in 2008 to avoid ethical conflicts. Since the policy was effected, two presidential searches have been conducted by the board — one at Jackson State and one at Alcorn State.
“What do you do if you already have the best person on campus for the position?” Ward 3 City Councilman Charlie Box asked Dr. Hank Bounds, commissioner of higher education for the state of Mississippi. “Why can”t you change the system?”
In the competitive college president market though, it would be difficult to attract candidates if they knew they would be competing against an interim president already in place, Bounds said, adding that such a policy “tells future candidates, ”You need not apply.””
“Everybody loves Allegra; I love Allegra; she”s doing a fantastic job,” Bounds said. “I say, ”If you have any desire to be president, don”t (take the position as interim).”
Brigham”s ability to engage the business community was also praised, with Jim McAlexander, president of Cadence Bank in Columbus, saying he felt The W is “not as dynamic” as it once was, so he feels it”s important for the next president to keep strong ties with the business community, as she has done.
“We need someone who is bright as a light bulb and stubborn as a mule,” said local banker Larry Cantrell.
Presidential candidates have until Sept. 2 to submit applications. Once the campus listening sessions are complete, members of the search advisory committee will use the input they gleaned to submit qualified candidates to the board search committee. Candidates will be interviewed this fall.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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