Richmond begins search for new Dean of Westhampton College

The University of Richmond dean search committee met for the first time on Nov. 18 to commence the hunt for a candidate to become the next Dean of Westhampton College.

The previous dean, Juliette Landphair, left the university last June after being hired as the vice president for student affairs at the University of Mary Washington. Kerry Albright Fankhauser, previously an associate dean and deputy Title IX coordinator, is serving as interim dean.

The 15-person search committee comprises 10 faculty members, three students and two Westhampton College alumnae.

During the meeting, the committee met with Sheila Murphy, a consultant from Witt/Kieffer, who was hired by the university to assist in the search process.

Joe Boehman, dean of Richmond College, is a co-chair of the dean search committee.

“We want to have someone come in who has a strong connection with people who are out there looking for positions like this one,” Boehman said. “Hopefully she can help link us to people who have the qualifications and fit the mold of what we are looking for in a new dean.”

After hearing suggestions from the search committee, Murphy spent the rest of the day meeting with other members of the Richmond community, including the president’s cabinet, the registrar, facilities and student government. She ended the day by welcoming any students to come and offer their opinions to her about the search.

“In the next few months, she can take all the suggestions and information that she has compiled and develop a long list of possible candidates for us,” said Steve Bisese, the vice president for student development.

By Jan. 14, the committee intends to narrow down the list to between 8 and 12 applicants to invite to a confidential meeting, where committee members will be able to learn about who each candidate is firsthand, Bisese said.

“Sometime around March or April next semester we plan on narrowing it down to 3-5 final candidates who we can then bring to campus,” Bisese said. “We want to make sure that the next dean can relate to students, and by coming to campus they each will be able to interact with the whole UR community.”

The position opening will be posted within the next month or so, and the university plans on having a new dean in place by July 1, 2016.

Contact reporter Matt Davison at matt.davison@richmond.edu