Contact: Harriet Laird

Starkville, Miss.--Finalists for the position of vice president for Student Affairs at Mississippi State University have been announced by the search committee.

MSU President Mark E. Keenum charged the committee of appointed and elected faculty, students, staff and alumni in October to conduct a national search to succeed former Vice President of Student Affairs William "Bill" Kibler.

The finalists, in alphabetical order, include Douglas A. Hallenbeck, associate vice president for Student Affairs and executive director of university housing and dining, Clemson University; Regina Y. Hyatt, dean of students and associate vice president for Student Affairs; University of Alabama in Huntsville; MaryJane "Gigi" S. Secuban, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs, Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; and William Bradford Stackman, associate vice president for Student Services, University of Notre Dame.

MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Jerry Gilbert serves as search committee chair.

"There has been great interest shown in this position by candidates from some of the top universities across the nation, and we're delighted with this very impressive group of finalists," Gilbert said. "We anticipate giving them the chance to discuss student affairs issues with an array of campus constituents in the next two weeks, and I hope the university community will be involved as we shape the future of MSU student life."

The four candidates will visit MSU for on-campus interviews during the weeks of April 13 and 20. Information about each candidate may be found at http://vpsasearch.msstate.edu/.

Finalists also will participate in open forums to include a brief presentation by each candidate on his or her vision for student affairs at MSU followed by a question-and-answer session. The forum schedule is:

--Hallenbeck, Tuesday, April 14; 1-2 p.m., Fowlkes Auditorium, Colvard Student Union

--Hyatt, Friday, April 17; 10-11 a.m., Fowlkes Auditorium, Colvard Student Union

--Stackman, Tuesday, April 21, 10-11 a.m.; Fowlkes Auditorium, Colvard Student Union

--Secuban, Thursday, April 23, 2-3 p.m.; Taylor Auditorium, McCool Hall

The vice president for Student Affairs serves as a member of the President's Cabinet and provides executive-level leadership and vision for the Division of Student Affairs. Strategic planning for programming to support student life and success also is the responsibility of the successful candidate. In cooperation with the provost and executive vice president, the vice president for Student Affairs works to manage enrollment growth and student retention.

Functional areas that report to this position include the Office of the Dean of Students, health services, assessment and testing services, dining, housing and residence life, recreational sports, bookstore and the Student Honor Code Office.

Those who want to attend the forums and require special assistance related to a disability should email martha@provost.msstate.edu.