Thursday, May 25, 2023
I would like to thank everyone who participated in the UT presidential search listening sessions that began last month and concluded on Tuesday. The conversations and feedback were thoughtful and constructive. Further, the consistency in answers to critical questions across the community was striking. I was impressed by the passion and commitment so many of you have for UT.
If you missed the session, or would like to make further comments, click on the “Community Input” tab on the presidential search webpage. You will also find that the Presidential Leadership Profile has been posted at the Leadership Profile tab. This document outlines the qualities and expectations the UT community has for its next leader.
The search committee plans to host follow-up listening sessions on Aug. 24 at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. for faculty, staff and students, respectively. More details about those sessions will be sent as the date approaches. We also welcome any candidate suggestions, which can be submitted on the presidential search web page at the “Nominate a Candidate” tab.
The search schedule remains on track:
- The search officially launched last week, and we’ve already received nominations and expressions of interest.
- The executive search firm, WittKieffer, will continue to recruit candidates over the summer.
- The Board of Trustees is expected to announce the new president early in 2024, with a transition fully in place by July 1, 2024.
I expect to provide the UT community with another update about the search in early fall, again via global email. Until then, I wish everyone an adventurous summer, and I thank you for your support in selecting UT’s next president.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Baker
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
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Monday, April 24, 2023
Dear Members of the UT Community,
I am delighted to provide a brief update on our planning for the upcoming presidential search.
A presidential search committee has been appointed to conduct the search and work side-by-side with the search firm WittKieffer to attract a diverse pool of strong candidates for consideration. The committee will begin interviewing candidates in the fall and will recommend a group of finalists to the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees in December. Our plan is to announce the new president in January, with a transition fully in place by July 1, 2024.
The Search Committee is planning a series of open forums to gather community input on this critical transition. The goal for these sessions is to engage in a thoughtful conversation about UT's strengths, opportunities, culture and priorities, and ultimately, to contribute to defining the criteria that will be used in the recruitment of the next president. We hope every member of the UT community will be able to participate, and we thank you in advance for sharing your valuable perspective.
Forums will be held via Zoom, for 50 minutes each.
Faculty: Wednesday, April 26, at noon and Thursday, Aug. 24, at 9 a.m.
Staff: Friday, April 28, at 4 p.m.
Students: Tuesday, April 25, at 8 a.m.
Alumni: Date to Come
Zoom links for each session will be sent in a separate email.
For those who prefer to submit their input via a survey or who wish both to attend a session and respond via survey, input may be provided at the presidential transition webpage, by clicking on the “Community Input” tab.
The presidential search webpage will also be updated regularly to provide information about the search.
I look forward to seeing you soon, and thank you in advance for your interest.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Baker
Chair of the Board of Trustees
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Monday, April 3, 2023
This is a broadcast message from the University of Tampa Board of Trustees
Dear Members of The University of Tampa Community,
Recently President Ron Vaughn announced his upcoming retirement, which will be effective on May 31, 2024. President Vaughn’s commitment to The University of Tampa during his near 30-year tenure has been extraordinary. His vision for our beloved University has been transformational, resulting in exceptional learning experiences for students and preparing them well for the future of their dreams.
On behalf of my fellow trustees, I would like to convey gratitude and admiration for the path that President Vaughn has charted. Under his leadership, UT has become a top-ranked institution on an exciting trajectory. Our growing student population, proliferation of academic programs led by a distinguished faculty, and magnificent learning facilities are the reality resulting from relentless execution of President Vaughn’s plan.
There will be ample opportunity in the year to come for our entire community to honor President Vaughn and his wife Renée for their immense contributions. At the same time, we are grateful that President Vaughn has given us well over a year to conduct the search for his successor. Given UT’s strength, we are sure this will be a position of great interest to a number of compelling candidates.
There is nothing more important to the work of a university's board of trustees than the appointment of the president. A Presidential Search Committee is being established, on which there will be faculty, staff and student representation. WittKieffer has been chosen as the executive search firm given the firm’s focus on higher education and top rankings. In fact, the team at WittKieffer has a long-standing record of success with UT, having placed eight key leadership positions in the last 14 years, including the Provost, four deans and three vice presidents.
The Board joins me expressing our hope that there will be robust input from the University community as we prepare to launch the search. You will hear presently about a series of listening sessions as well as a survey where you can provide your valuable input. We have established a Presidential Search webpage where information and updates will reside.
Please accept my thanks in advance for sharing your perspective with us, in forums and surveys to come. Your input is essential.
Best Regards,
Charlotte Baker
Chair of the Board of Trustees