Search for Next Commissioner of Higher Education
The State Board of Regents is conducting a search for the next commissioner of higher education due to the current commissioner Richard Kendell announcing his plans in June to retire at the end of this year.
The search for a new commissioner is currently underway. The process usually takes about six months, though the search can go longer or shorter depending on how many applications the board receives and how much information they have to go through.
“The real key is finding the right person for the job,” said Amanda Covington, communications director for the State Board of Regents. “They need to fit just right. We don’t like to set a strict time frame for the search because it’s more important to find the right fit than to try to find someone to fill the spot by a deadline.”
The board creates a list of qualities and talents necessary in the next commissioner. Criteria will be largely decided by input as the board members gather information from all around Utah to find what citizens and educators want from the new commissioner and what type of representative they need. Heads of the 10 public universities and colleges in Utah’s educational system meet with the board to discuss the needs of the individual schools.
Covington said USU President Stan Albrecht is included in this and will give his input to help the board choose finalists who will better represent the school’s needs.
A lot is expected from those who apply to the job of commissioner, Covington said. Education is vital, and an applicant is expected to have at least a doctorate or equivalent degree. Part of the commissioner’s job is to represent higher education as spokesman in the government, so the board looks for applicants with a thorough knowledge of the legislation process. A record of achievement in the higher education system, experience and talent in leadership and experience in making policies is also part of the committee’s criteria.
The process for choosing the next commissioner consists of many interviews. The job posting on the board’s website states applicants must first submit a resume along with five references and other supporting documents to the board. The board will then review the applications and begin a series of interviews. Covington said the board started reviewing nominations and applications in late August.
From the interviews, the board will choose anywhere from three to seven finalists, Covington said. After the finalists have been selected, the board will submit these names to the public. The finalists will go through more interviews to help the public get to know the candidates better. Finally, the next commissioner will be decided by a public vote.
The new commissioner will act as spokesman in the state Legislature as well as with the governor. Part of his job also is to help the board pick presidents for the 10 colleges and universities it covers. He will work with creating and consolidating budgets, recommend new policies, participate in general policy making, process information and discern what that information means for higher education in Utah, and standardize reporting procedures within the system, along with other responsibilities.
The job posting states the new commissioner will have to deal with a large growth expected in the system. According to the board, enrollment is likely to grow at least 25 percent within the next 10 years. This means the next commissioner will handle bigger budgets and larger amounts of enrolled students than the last.
Kendell has been commissioner since he was named in 2003. He worked to create bonds between businessmen and members of the educational system, advocated higher education’s positive effects on the individual and worked to increase high school preparation.
-rac.ch@aggiemail.usu.edu