Report on Focus Group Meetings Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, 2009

The Presidential Search Committee held focus group meetings on the search for the ninth president of the College on the McDaniel campus.  From August 31 to September 2, 2009, Mary Lynn Durham, Chair of the Presidential Search Committee, and consultant, David Gring of Myers McRae led focus group meetings with other members of the Committee, faculty, students, staff, alumni and community leaders to discuss leadership needs and challenges for the next president. The several focus group opportunities drew a wide audience of participants, and many excellent observations and ideas emerged during the discussions. The broad interest and energetic participation of the McDaniel community in these meetings is itself evidence of how important the future leadership of the College is. These meetings followed the launch of the Search web site by two weeks.  Ms. Durham opened each meeting by explaining the planning for the search that occurred over the summer and alerting all participants that the active phase of the search is now underway. 

Ms. Durham and Mr. Gring invited comments and questions, and wide ranging discussion ensued in each of the meetings. Each group articulated many aspects of the College that will attract the ninth president as well and discussing future opportunities and responsibilities. Participants also commented on aspects of proposed Search Criteria they believe should be emphasized in the search for the next president.  Everyone recognizes that many of the issues McDaniel is grappling with are shared by other distinguished liberal arts colleges and universities. Among others, these include financing future needs, broadly justifying and developing philanthropic support and partnerships, adapting to changing student needs and demographics, dealing with the emerging role, responsibilities and values of a scholarly community, the need for significant investment in and education in technology, the need to support faculty development and reward the entire range of faculty involvement in the academic and other programs, and the participation, support, responsibility and outreach mission of the institution in the community.

While a number of comments highlighted desirable areas of investment and emphasis, a number of comments also focused on a growing need for McDaniel to articulate and direct its identity as an institution, to select and prioritize goals, and to develop and communicate a clear understanding of its distinctive strengths, recognizing that this requires making difficult choices and taking risks. Among other things, a number of participants felt that these steps were needed to help McDaniel become better known for what it offers students and further enhance its recognition and reputation among liberal arts colleges. In this connection, it will be important for the next president to help reconcile McDaniel’s growing graduate programs with its overall direction and institutional image.

Thanks to broad participation and excellent, thoughtful questions and comments, the Search Committee learned a great deal about the many aspects of McDaniel College that engage its community and opportunities for the next president to lead the College forward. The engagement demonstrated by students, faculty, staff and alumni, alike made this series of meetings a compelling experience in the totality.

The Search Committee expresses its appreciation to our consultant Dr. David Gring, the Search Committee members, and the many other members of the McDaniel community who participated. The specific observations, ideas and suggestions of participants noted during the meetings are of great value to the Committee in considering the qualifications of presidential candidates and apprising candidates regarding McDaniel’s leadership needs.

Westminster, Maryland
September 8, 2009

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Focus Group Meetings Scheduled in August
The McDaniel College community is engaged in the search for the next president of the College.  The Presidential Search Committee plans to hold focus group meetings on campus over a three day period beginning on August 31, 2009.  The focus group meetings will be informal opportunities to share thoughts about future leadership of McDaniel College. They are also intended to inform the McDaniel College community and friends about the search for its ninth president.

The focus group meetings will be lead by Myers McRae and members of the Presidential Search Committee. Myers McRae, one of the most experienced executive search firms in the nation for institutions of higher education, is serving as our search consultant. We invite you to learn more about the Presidential Search focus group meetings by emailing mfriday@mcdaniel.edu.