Indiana State unveils finalists in presidential search
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Indiana State University on Thursday announced three finalists being considered to serve as the university’s next president. The person selected for the job will succeed Deborah Curtis, who is retiring at the end of the current academic year.
The university’s Presidential Search Committee selected the finalists from a pool of 10 semifinalists after reviewing background materials and conducting interviews earlier this month. The list of finalists was submitted to the ISU Board of Trustees.
In all, the university received over 80 applications for the position.
“We were privileged to attract a strong and diverse candidate pool,” Board of Trustees Chair Bob Casey said in a university news release. “I want to thank all the members of the Search Committee for their tireless commitment to this important process. We are excited to introduce these candidates to the Indiana State University, Terre Haute, and Wabash Valley communities.”
The three finalists are:
Matt Cecil: He currently serves as special advisor to the president at Northern Kentucky University and was previously provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs at the university from July 2021 to January 2024
Mike Godard: He has served as provost of Southeast Missouri State University since July 2019 and is also a tenured professor exercise science in the Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition and Recreation.
Clarenda Phillips: She currently serves as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Texas A&M University – Corp[us Christi. She is also a professor of sociology and served as interim dean for the College of Science from September 2022 to February 2023.
The university says each finalist will be scheduled for a two-day on-campus visit, beginning next week. You can view the full schedule by clicking here.
ISU plans to name its 13th president sometime in late spring.
In October, Deborah Curtis announced her intention to retire after six years leading Indiana State. She is the first woman and second ISU alumnus to lead the university.