Two colleges at Marywood will be experiencing changes this Spring.

The search process to replace Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Frances Zauhar and Interim Dean of the College of Health and Human Services Lori Swanchak is officially underway.

According to Provost Dr. Susan Turell, her role in the process has been to help shape and form the committees. Turell said she appointed some members of the separate search committees; however, most of the members were elected by faculty senate. Then the committees each selected their respective chairs.

To help facilitate the search Marywood hired consultant company Hyatt-Fennell to work with candidate communication and vetting. Marywood President Sr. Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D. said the company also helped with the initial advertisement of the available positions.

“The committees worked with a consultant from the search firm to agree on the role description that was published and the ad that went out to many national media outlets,” said Persico.

The searches are confidential until the finalists come to campus. Turell said candidates are currently through the first-round interview and those who made it through are being interviewed again using Zoom, a video conferencing software.

According to Persico, by mid-February the semi-finalists will be selected and invited to come to campus to visit.

“When the finalists are selected, they will come on campus,” said Persico. “Many groups throughout the community will have an opportunity to speak with them and ask them questions in forums that will be set up and announced to all in advance. “

Turell said she hopes to hear student voices involved in the process.

“There’s a really important role for students to play in the process,” said Turell. “Please participate, your feedback is important.”

The semi-finalists will be reviewed by Persico and the selected candidates will be notified in March. After they’re notified the candidates will officially take over their positions on July 1.

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