Dan Parker will be the lead consultant for ABAC's search. He has worked with search teams on a number of presidential searches within the University System of Georgia.
In addition to Parker, ABAC will work with Laurie C. Wilder, Principal, and Bernie Johnson, Executive Recruiting Coordinator, Baker-Parker & Associates. Wilder and Johnson will be instrumental in providing an essential service--intensive inquiries of a candidate's previous experience and references. Through their services and the efforts of others, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and members of the community, news of the presidential position at ABAC will be widely disseminated, resulting in a larger number of qualified candidates than would otherwise be possible.
Dr. Chrystle Ross, ABAC's Presidential Search and Advisory Committee Chair, said she believes Baker-Parker will greatly benefit the presidential search by getting the word out about the position.
"We need everyone to get involved and help publicize the availability of this position--faculty, staff, students, members of the community," Ross said. "We need to put as much emphasis on the search as we do the screening process."
To further advertise the position, the job announcement will appear in the Jan. 5 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education. (The announcement already appeared in the Dec. 8 edition of that publication.) In addition, the ad will also appear in the Jan. 4 issue of Black Issues in Higher Education. The screening of applications will begin around the first of February.
As requested by the search firm, all applications are being submitted in confidence. The names of the candidates who will be invited to the campus for interviews will be released one week before their visits. Prior to the reviewing of all applications in early February, the committee will receive two interim reports from Baker-Parker, one on Dec. 15 and another on Jan. 15. These reports will provide an update as to the number of applications received to date.
Members of the community are encouraged to become involved in the search process and send in nominations. The search firm will handle all inquiries, nominations, and applications and can be reached at either the web site www.bpasearch.com or Wilder's e-mail address, lwilder@bpasearch.com. The Baker-Parker firm can be reached at (770) 804-1996.
For updates on the search process and a tentative timetable, check ABAC's web site at www.abac.edu. Dr. Harold Loyd retired as ABAC's president July 31. Dr. Homer Day is serving as interim president.
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