The choice for the next chancellor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is down to two candidates.
The SIU Board of Trustees interviewed both finalists Wednesday, as the final step in the selection process.
First up was Oregon State University Provost and Executive Vice President Sabah Randhawa.
He says the trustees line of questioning wasn't all that different than what he experienced from the public and the academic community when he interviewed about five weeks ago.
"I think there were perhaps more questions around the type of culture at Oregon State, where I currently am. We were able to build some of those type of elements. But, again, there were also some common elements around, for example, fiscal stability of the institution, around enrollment growth of the institution here, relationships and impact in local communities."
SIU-C Acting Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Susan Ford says with more than three decades of experience at the university, she wants to keep the focus of the chancellor's office in providing students with a quality education.
"We have to make sure we preserve the quality we have. We build on that, and so, we remain a destination for students where they know they can come, they can get good value. They can get it in a cost-effective manner and go onto a great future."
No word on when the new chancellor will be announced, but President Randy Dunn has said he'd like to have someone in place by the start of the Fall 2015 Semester.
