*The attached video is previous coverage of Dr. Curtis’ retirement announcement
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — We now know the names of the three finalists in Indiana State University’s search for their next president.
The announcement of a Presidential Search Committee came shortly after current president Dr. Deborah Curtis said she would be retiring from higher education this summer.
Thursday, the committee released the names and some basic information about the three candidates to succeed Dr. Curtis. The committee reports that each of these candidates were selected following a review of their background and a series of interviews held between March 5-6.
Meet the finalists
Dr. Matt Cecil
According to the release, Dr. Cecil currently serves as a Special Advisor to the President at Northern Kentucky University.
Cecil previously served as the Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at NKU between July 2021 and January of 2024.
Dr. Mike Godard
According to the release, Dr. Godard works for Southeast Missouri State University as the Provost, a role he has occupied since July of 2019.
Dr. Godard also serves as a tenured Professor of Exercise Science in the SMSU Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Recreation.
Dr. Clarenda M. Phillips
According to the release, Dr. Clarenda M. Phillips is the current Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, a role she has filled since March of 2018.
Dr. Phillips is also a Professor of Sociology at the school. Dr. Phillips has also served as the Interim Dean for the College of Science between September of 2022 and February of 2023.
“We were privileged to attract a strong and diverse candidate pool,” said Board of
Trustees Chair Bob Casey. “I want to thank all the members of the Search Committee
for their tireless commitment to this important process. We are excited to introduce
these candidates to the Indiana State University, Terre Haute, and Wabash Valley
communities.”
The committee selected these three finalists from a field of 80 applicants for the position. Ten candidates were invited to in-person interviews, and from there the three were selected.
The committee said the next step in the process will be two-day on-campus visits for each of the finalists. More information regarding the candidates and those visits will be publicized through the ISU President Search Committee website located here.
