In an effort to restore confidence in leadership and squelch rumors at Norfolk State University, Board of Visitors Rector Thomas N. Chewning said new standards will be put in place to improve the screening of presidential candidates.
On the heels of the removal of University President Dr. Tony Atwater, Chewning told Diverse the board will establish new criteria and requirements in the presidential search including transparency in background findings and input from stakeholders including faculty, alumni and community, as well as hiring a search consultant to aid with the process.
An interim president will be identified while the search committee is assembled and the search for a new president is conducted. Dr. Sandra DeLoatch, the university’s provost and vice president for academic affairs is temporarily serving as acting president.
A board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 13, where discussion will include establishing the search committee and identifying an interim president who will be able to manage the university while the board conducts an in-depth search for a new president.
Chewning said he wants to bring stability back to the university.
“The search committee will take as long as it needs to find the right person to run the school,” Chewning said. “They will be held to a pretty high standard. The committee will be able to take their time if we have a good interim president in place. We want a [presidential candidate] who can command the attention of the community as well as stakeholders, and who can tackle the problems in front of us.”
