Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Dear members of the University of North Texas community:

As Chair and Vice Chair of the UNT Presidential Search Advisory Committee, we would like to provide you with an update on the search for President Smatresk’s successor.

On March 1st, 4th, and 5th, the Search Advisory Committee conducted its listening sessions to solicit feedback from UNT stakeholders on the qualities and characteristics sought in UNT’s next President. The information gathered from these sessions subsequently played a critical role in guiding the development of the UNT Presidential Search Leadership Profile and search announcement. Ultimately, the Search Advisory Committee finalized the Leadership Profile and search announcement on March 15th and during the week of March 18th, the announcement was posted in the following venues:

  • American Association of State Colleges and Universities
  • Asians in Higher Education
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • Diverse: Issues in Higher Education
  • Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
  • Inside Higher Education
  • Insight into Diversity
  • Hispanic Outlook
  • Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
  • Women in Higher Education

In addition to posting the search announcement, the Search Advisory Committee distributed the Leadership Profile widely to potential candidates within and outside of higher education across the United States to solicit their interest or nominations. Our search consultants also initiated their outreach and recruitment efforts concurrently.

Given these activities, we are pleased to report that the Search Advisory Committee is now actively reviewing prospect files and engaging potential candidates for this wonderful leadership opportunity. It is our expectation that the committee will begin conducting preliminary interviews in the near future and in the coming weeks, we will provide additional updates on the status of the search.

Sincerely,

Laura Wright, Search Chair
Chair, UNT System Board of Regents

Dr. Michael R. Williams, Search Vice Chair
UNT System Chancellor