Averett University

Dec. 13, 2007

Averett University took the next important step in the search for its next president last week. The executive recruitment firm RPA Inc. was in Danville for three days last week meeting with members of the community, local educators and Averett students, alumni, faculty and staff.

"It's vital that we get feedback from the community and from all of Averett's constituents," said RPA President Richard Allen. "It's clear that people are passionate about Averett and its future. We had a great response to these meetings, and we received helpful suggestions."

RPA Inc. gathered data from more than 14 focus group sessions. Participants discussed the characteristics they'd like to see in a leader as well as their vision for the future of the university. The input will be used to identify suitable candidates for the national search in which this first step begins the search process.

"We are still in the process of gathering and analyzing the information," Allen said. "We are taking the feedback we receive very seriously. This is an important first step in our search."

Averett invites anyone who did not attend a focus group session to visit the Averett presidential search website at www.averett.edu/presearch and provide feedback or nominate a candidate for consideration.