Dear Students, Employees, and Friends of Wilmington College,
On behalf of the Presidential Search Committee, I am pleased to share the following update on the College’s search for its next president.
Presidential Search – Applicant Review
The Presidential Search Profile and application instructions were published to major higher education job sites, including HigherEdJobs, Inside Higher Ed, the Chronicle of Higher Education, and DiverseEducation. Additionally, these materials were shared with major Quaker outlets, including the Friends Association for Higher Education and the Friends Journal.
During the two-week application period of Monday, Jan. 22 through Monday, Feb. 5 this national search yielded 50 applications. These applicants reflect a diverse range of backgrounds, educational profiles, and professional experiences and included multiple candidates who identify as Quaker.
Search Committee members engaged in their own, rolling reviews of applications and used a screening tool to conduct preliminary rankings of applicants based on how applicants’ profiles aligned with the Presidential Goals and Objectives as well as the Desired Presidential Attributes found in the Search Profile.
The Committee also met twice, on Thursday, Feb. 1 and Wednesday, Feb. 7. Through a process of group discernment, conducted according to Quaker Practice, the Committee gave further, careful review to ten applicants. The Committee selected four applicants for Zoom interviews and conducted those interviews during the week of Feb. 12.
Presidential Search – Committee’s Recommendation
Following these Zoom interviews, the Search Committee deliberated whether to advance any applicants to on-campus visits as finalists to be Wilmington College’s next president.
After careful reflection and consideration, the entire Search Committee is unanimous that only one applicant is the right individual to advance to an on-campus visit to be the College’s next president:
- Coreen (Corey) Cockerill, Ph.D.
Presidential Search – Campus Visit
Corey’s campus visit will occur on Thursday, Feb. 22 with the details of the visit and Corey’s application materials (Cover Letter & Curriculum Vitae) made publicly available on the Presidential Search Website in as timely a manner as possible.
Her visit will include opportunities for conversation with the College’s students and employees, the Wilmington Yearly Meeting, and the Board of Trustees. The visit will also include a campus forum and every member of the College’s community will have an opportunity to provide the Search Committee with electronic feedback.
The Search Committee anticipates submitting its recommendations to the College’s Board of Trustees, according to the Code of Regulations, by Tuesday, Feb. 27.
The Board of Trustees anticipates selecting a preferred candidate and extending an offer during its meeting on Friday, Mar. 1, with an announcement of the College’s next president following shortly thereafter.
On behalf of the Presidential Search Committee and with gratitude for all you do for Wilmington College.
Sincerely,
Brent Bill, Trustee
Clerk, Presidential Search Committee