UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Beginning today, April 13, Penn State community members across every campus location are invited to participate in a survey about the upcoming search for the University’s 19th president. As part of the Next Gen Penn State listening process, the survey will seek feedback from students, faculty, staff and alumni as well as other community stakeholders on characteristics, priorities and goals for the institution’s next leader.
In February, Penn State President Eric Barron confirmed his plans to retire in June 2022 at the end of his current contract, and the Board of Trustees established a Presidential Recruitment and Selection Committee to lead a phased search process, which will begin in early summer. This spring, a Next Gen Penn State Advisory Group, comprised of a broad cross-section of individuals from across the University, will focus on gathering community members’ input — through a survey, feedback form and small-group conversations — to help inform the upcoming search and selection process.
The confidential survey — which will be emailed to Penn State students, faculty, staff and alumni — also will be accessible to all, including community members, on the Next Gen Penn State website. The survey will be open from April 13 to April 30 and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Take the survey: The survey is available here.
“Your voice is important, and we look forward to your engagement in this critical effort to help select Penn State’s next president and shape the future direction of our University,” said Matt Schulyer, chair of the Penn State Board of Trustees. “As a student, faculty or staff member, alumnus, or a community member, we encourage you to share your thoughts and input by participating in the survey.”
Survey questions will touch on a range of topics, including opportunities and potential challenges for the next president, desired leadership capabilities, academic and executive experience, and more.
The survey will be conducted by Spencer Stuart, the executive search firm engaged by the Board of Trustees to support the community listening and presidential search process.
Beginning later this month, responses will be reviewed and compiled — along with responses from other Next Gen Penn State feedback mechanisms, including a feedback form and conversations with University groups such as the University Faculty Senate, Student Leaders Roundtable, Staff Advisory Council and more.
The Next Gen Penn State Advisory Group will consider the input received through this process and prepare and submit a report to the Presidential Recruitment and Selection Committee that will help inform the upcoming presidential search and selection process. The report also will be shared with the Penn State community.
For more information, visit the Next Gen Penn State website.