Vice provost Catherine Riordan a provost finalist at Columbus State University
Central Michigan University may lose another high-ranking member of its administration by the end of the academic year.
Vice Provost of Academic Affairs Catherine Riordan is one of three finalists for the position of provost at Columbus State University. Riordan, who has been a member of CMU's faculty since 2000, was one of more than 50 applicants for the position at CSU, which is located in western Georgia.
"I didn't find out about the position until I was nominated for it," Riordan said. "Someone who knew me thought I would be a good match and submitted my name."
The search has been an extensive one at CSU, said John Lester, executive director of community and public relations at the university.
"We developed a search committee and began the process late last year," he said. "Of the 50 or so applicants, we invited 10 to fly in to Atlanta for an interview."
From that list, CSU officials invited three finalists, including Riordan, to meet with a number of campus groups and give a presentation to the faculty. Riordan's campus interview will take place Wednesday.
The news of Riordan's potential departure from CMU comes just after University President Michael Rao made his decision to become president at Virginia Commonwealth University. If Riordan does leave, CMU would be faced with the task of appointing officers to both positions.
"We would more than likely hire a national firm to try and find candidates, and then proceed with phone interviews to narrow those candidates down," said Steve Smith, CMU director of media relations. "In the presidential search, we are moving ahead trying to finalize plans for a search process, in which we will more than likely hire a firm."
Often times, during the process of finding a replacement for a high-profile campus position, an interim is appointed. In this case, an interim president or vice provost, Smith said.
"With Catherine's position, Julia Wallace, who is the provost, would make the decision," Smith said.
Wallace would have to weigh the pros and cons of appointing an interim to determine whether or not it would be warranted, Smith said.
Riordan said she is drawn to CSU for a number of reasons.
"I'm attracted to the mission of the institution and the opportunities they have, given their location in a rapidly growing state," Riordan said.
CSU is very interested in strengthening its first-year experience and its graduate programs, she said.
CSU, which had an undergraduate enrollment of more than 6,500, as of 2007, currently has a vice president of academic affairs and is adopting the provost model for the first time in its 51-year history, Lester said.
CSU hopes to have a new provost by July 1.
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