[CHPFacultyStaff] Search Process - Dean of the College of Health Professions

[Mary Dimura]

Dear Faculty, Students, and Staff in the College of Health Professions,

I am writing to provide some background information for the Search Process for a new Dean of the College of Health Professions. As you know, the remarkable Dean Beissner has announced her intention to retire from the position at the end of the 2025/26 academic year. President Dewan has chosen the firm WittKieffer to support this important national search, based on his every positive experience with the firm in other major leadership searches for academic medical centers and higher education. He asked me to chair the search committee, which I am honored to do. The role of a college dean is vitally important in advancing Upstate's mission and to supporting excellence in our work. Mr. Matthew Chadderdon, President Dewan's Chief of Staff, and Ms. Nancy Prott from the President's Office, are supporting this search process. A search committee representing stakeholders within and outside of the college has been named (see attached).

WittKieffer met with Matt, Nancy, and me two weeks ago and shared a tentative timeline for the search, including, as a start, interviews with college leaders, faculty, students, and staff to listen to your thoughts about the college and its leadership needs at this time. These are designed to be information-gathering, to understand your perceptions of the college, the educational programs, the support of students, your aspirations for the future, and anything else you wish to share. They want to gather your input as soon as possible, to inform the leadership profile that will be developed and included in communications that will be disseminated about the position. If you choose to participate in these sessions, and I hope that you do, please share openly. Your input is vitally important in identifying candidates who will be able to meet the ongoing and future needs and aspirations of the college. If for some reason you wish to communicate something outside these information-gathering sessions, please contact me as soon as you can.

Dr. Dewan has set the goal of having someone in place by June/summer.  We welcome your input. No doubt there are many questions and both excitement and anxiety as we anticipate this process and the transition in leadership. We are committed to conducting a thorough and inclusive search, to identify outstanding candidates, and to proceed with integrity and good communication. Thank you for your support as we undertake this important process.

Sincerely,

Lynn Cleary
Vice President, Academic Affairs

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