Santa Fe-And the new president of IAIA is….?

The IAIA community has been asking this question since Cassandra Manuelito from the Navajo Nation was voted in by the Board of Trustees last spring 2006, only to step down before she started.

The community has an idea of what kind of president they want to represent. THE LEAD NEEDS TO INCLUDE SOMETHING ABOUT THE PROCESS.

Elena Higgins, international Samoan/Maori student from New Zealand would like to see the future President of IAIA to have empathy and a real connection with indigenous peoples, dynamic public speaking abilities, and a charismatic personality.

“The next President should be a good role model with good ethics,” said Higgins. “This person needs to be involved with the community and in tune with what is going on globally. This person needs to have a futuristic approach for the long term of the college.”

Vicki Morigeau, a Salish Indian from the Montana Flathead reservation would like to see someone like Joe MacDonald who is the President of The Salish Community College. She likes his uncanny ability to stay on top of finances and to stay in touch with community. He’s a hard worker and very friendly.

“He’s done so much for the college. He’s attributed to student housing, sports complex, and the overall growth of the college,” Morigeau said.

“The members of the IAIA Search Committee are comprised of the various departments and constituencies of IAIA. Those individuals are as follows; myself (Karl Duncan), Audrey Dreaver, Diane Reyna, Grace Nuvayestewa, Hayes Lewis, Jim Rivera, Jon Davis, Laurie Logan, Marita Hinds, Norman Akers, Ramus Suina, Sandra Etzel, Jeanne Given, Loren Kieve and Lisa Nason. Covering the students input is myself, ASG president and a student at large, Audrey Dreaver. Between the both of us we consider all aspects that the search should include and address. The Associated Student government has asked for input from the student body on their important needs concerning the search. The ASG holds weekly meetings and updates the student body after the search committee meets. Any questions can be addressed there or anytime through e-mail, phone or in person from any ASG officer. Now, the process is looking promising, as the committee is ready to narrow down the candidates. IAIA continues to move forward in this part of its brilliant future.” Duncan is the president for ASG.

Candidate Qualifications:

When asked about the process of selection for Presidency, Hayes Lewis, director of Center for Lifelong Education said that the Spencer Stuart Search Firm were hired to identify qualified applicants. He said that they were taking their time and not rushing the process this time around.

“The candidates need to have a Master’s or better, a PhD is preferred” Hayes said. He identified:

• Strong leadership skills
• Knowledge of complex organizations
• Knowledge of Indian affairs and policies
• Familiarity of Indian arts, culture, and education that mirrors IAIA’s mission statement.

When asked about the Board involvement and where they step in, he responded, “The Board of Trustees has a similar role to review the candidates and their qualifications. The candidates will be interviewed, considered, and then selected. There is a Native American preference in this process.”

Committee member Jon Davis, creative writing professor has worked at IAIA for seventeen years. Davis has experienced six terms of Presidents: Katherine Tijerina, Perry Horse, Skyler Hausser, Beau Sanchez, Della Warrior, and Rich Tobin.

“We want a stable leader that will stay awhile,” according to Davis, “The [term] expectancy of a president is five to seven years. Of course we want a Native American leader with good fund raising skills and who can run organizations, and have good communication and listening skills. [We all want] a person that can understand that Native artists have varied perceptions and that education is more than just books.

“I think its important for the President to realize that art school is not all about profit, like a business…. Our mission is to turn out artists that can fend for themselves. Artists can receive the education here and go back to their communities and make a positive difference.”

“The interviews will start at the end of March.” Sandy Etzel, the administrative assistant said, “The candidates don’t want their names out because of their current statuses and do not want to jeopardize their current positions.” The second set of interviews will start in April. At that point, the Search Committee will make recommendations to the board. The committee hopes to decide by May.

To see the job description, click on: http://www.iaia.edu/Presidential.php

Copyright © IAIA CHRONICLE 2007