PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH – COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA (CSN)

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the qualities, experiences, and skills expected in the next President of CSN? 

With input from the entire campus, a Position Profile will be developed that is posted to this website.  It describes the minimum and desired qualifications of the ideal candidate and the challenges and opportunities facing the next President.

Who is serving on the Search Committee?

The Search Committee is composed of members of the Board of Regents.  In addition, the Insitutional Advisory Committee, which includes members of the College, a student representative, community members and legislative representatives, plays a role in making recommendations to the Regents’ Committee. Please see the complete list of Search Committee and Institutional Advisory Committee members posted to this website.

What is the role of the Search Committee? 

The Search Committee’s role includes identifying and encouraging candidates to apply for the position.  Its primary role is to develop interview questions, interview final candidates and recommend a finalist to the Nevada System of Higher Education Governing Board.

What is the Search Process and Timeline?

• December 7, 2007 – Forums to be held at all three CSN campuses by the search consultant to gather input regarding qualities and characteristics sought in the next President of CSN. December 14 is the deadline to receive input.  See the form available to provide comments at See the form available to provide comments.
• December 10, 2007 – Search committee meeting to establish process and develop position profile.
• December 17, 2007 to January 31, 2008 – Advertising and recruitment efforts.  January 31, 2008 is the deadline for receipt of all requested application materials of interested persons.
• Late February – Intermediate interview of semi-final candidates conducted by the search consultant. Recommendations on final candidates are then made to the Search Committee.
• April 17 – Search consultant makes final candidate presentations to the Search Committee.  Search Committee will conduct brief personal interviews with candidates at this time.  Candidate names are made public.
• April 23 and 24 – Final candidates visit CSN campus and participate in a variety of activities including Public Forums, along with conversations with various college and constituent groups.  At the conclusion of these interviews, the Search Committee meets to determine the recommendation of a finalist.
• Early May – Successful candidate is recommended to the Nevada System of Higher Education and a selection decision is made.  Start date of the successful candidate will be determined by his/her earliest availability.

Is the College of Southern Nevada using a search consultant?

Yes, the College of Southern Nevada has retained Cizek Associates, a national retained executive search and assessment firm with a strong southwest presence, as its search consulting firm.  Ms. Marti Cizek is the principal who will conduct the search for us.  See additional information under Who is the search firm?

Who is the search firm?

Cizek Associates, Inc. is a national retained executive search firm headquartered in Phoenix, with offices in Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area.  Serving private and public sector client organizations, the firm has a higher education specialty practice which is limited to the recruitment of senior level administrators.

Contact Information:
Marti J. Cizek, President
Cizek Associates, Inc.
2415 East Camelback Road, Suite 700
Phoenix, AZ  85016
602-553-1066
602-553-1166 - fax
456.07@cizekassociates.com

All inquiries regarding the Presidential search are to be directed to the search firm, whose responsibility it is to identify and attract the best possible candidates for the position, respond to all nominations and advertising inquiries, screen and evaluate backgrounds and credentials as compared to the Position Profile, personally interview semi-final candidates and make final candidate recommendations to the search committee and the Regents’ Chair regarding those candidates best qualified for the President position.  The search firm also checks references of finalists, conducts other background checks and provides overall search process and procedure guidance.

Why is the College of Southern Nevada using a search firm?

The College is using a search firm for a number of reasons including assistance in identifying and recruiting talented candidates for this position.  Cizek Associates will assist us in recruiting candidates who might not be looking for another position at this time and in screening and interviewing candidates.  The consultant will also assist in conducting other aspects of the search including preparing the Position Profile, assistance with process timeline and document preparation and thorough reference checking.

What will the Search Committee and the search consultant do to ensure a diverse pool?

The College and Cizek Associates, Inc. are committed to identifying a diverse pool of candidates.  Cizek Associates has a rich diversity network, has experience recruiting diverse candidates, and will provide critical access for our successful diversity recruitment effort.

How do you nominate an individual?

You may nominate someone for this position by sending his/her name and contact information to the consultant at 456.07@cizekassociates.com.  Ms. Cizek will then contact the individual, discuss the position using the Position Profile, and assess the person as a potential candidate.  You can be assured that all nominations and referrals will be treated with professional courtesy.  In addition, nominations will be executed with the level of confidentiality requested by the person offering the nomination.
 
How long will the selection process take for a new President?

The Regents’ Committee hopes the search process will conclude by the end of the spring term, 2008. The start date of the new President will depend, in part, on the successful candidate’s earliest availability.

When will the names of candidates be made public?

The name of a candidate whose application materials are reviewed by the Search Committee will be made public, according to our public meeting laws in the State of Nevada.

What opportunities will there be for input from faculty, students, staff and other interested individuals?

There will be opportunities to provide input to the Regents’ Chair and Search Committee after candidate on-campus visits.  Individuals may ask each candidate questions at the Forum's. In addition, the candidates will be engaged in a variety of activities during the interview process and you may have an opportunity to meet and talk with them at other times as well.

Feedback can be provided to the Regents and Chair via special forms that will be made available, or via emails or phone calls.

• The Chronicle of Higher Education
• Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education
• Diverse Issues in Higher Education
• Las Vegas Review Journal
• HigherEdJobs.com
• American Association of Community Colleges

If you want the Position Highlight sent to a group, please contact:

Marti J. Cizek, President
CIZEK ASSOCIATES, INC.
2415 E. Camelback Road, Suite 700
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-553-1066
602-553-1166 - fax
456.07@cizekassociates.com

Please contact Dr. Darren Divine, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, for comments or corrections.