The chancellor search committee began the new year with a conference call meeting last Thursday. The meeting was meant to update the committee on the current status of the chancellor search.

Parker Executive Search and the committee worked through the university’s holiday break to advertise the position of UNCW chancellor. Parker Executive Search is the firm that was hired by the committee last November to guide the search for a new chancellor. The company is based in Atlanta, Ga. Dan Parker, the president and lead consultant, will head the search efforts for the new UNCW chancellor. The firm has conducted more than 1,000 senior-level searches for national and international clients including higher education and Fortune 500 corporations.

The position has been advertised on the UNCW Web site and Parker’s Web site, as well as “Chronicle of Higher Education,” “Diverse Issues in Higher Education,” “Women in Higher Education” and “Hispanic Outlook.” An ad is also planned for “Inside Higher Ed.”

So far, UNCW has received 18 nominations for the position of new chancellor, according to a university press release. Twelve people have agreed to the application process. Search committee chair Wendy Murphy said that she expects more interest in the position as universities across the nation begin the new semester.

“I am very encouraged by the size of the pool and the quality of applicants so far, especially given the fact that the advertisements really started only this month,” Wendy said in a press release. “With the strengths and reputation of this university, this is an excellent job opportunity, and it’s clear that candidates are recognizing that.”

The first round of interviews should begin in the middle of March, with another round planned for late March or early April.

Updates on the chancellor search process can be found on the chancellor search web site. Also on the Web site is the leadership statement, which states what UNCW students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community expect in a new chancellor.

The next meeting for the chancellor search committee will be a conference call planned for 9 a.m. on Jan. 20.