By Maryam Ibrahim
A Senior Researcher with Academic Search Inc., Maya Ranchord, has been named consultant to search for a new president for the American University of Nigeria (AUN).
Ms. Ranchord has worked with Academic Search Inc, a firm with nearly 40-years’ involvement in searches for presidents and senor administrators for higher institutions.
The AUN Board of Trustees announced the appointment on Tuesday in a decision that followed the resignation of the former President, Margee Ensign on February 25.
In an email to the AUN community, the Board Secretary, Idi Ali said the consultant will help in laying the ground work, develop criteria for the position and solicit nominations and recommendations for prospective candidates.
“…The consultant will lay the groundwork for the critical next steps, develop the key criteria required for the position, and will utilize the firm’s extensive network to solicit nominations and recommendations,” a part of the mail reads.
“She will prepare a written profile describing the key institutional needs and priorities, and a related set of desired characteristics and talents for our next president.’’
The board said during the search, students, faculty, staff and alumni will be given the opportunity ask questions which would help in identifying the best candidate for the post.
Ms. Ranchord is expected to be on campus on March 28- 29.
Ahead of the meeting, Ranchord had structured questions that will be discussed with the AUN community.
Mr. Ali said the Board’s Search Committee will provide the university community with regular updates on the progress of the search.