Without a doubt, the job of recruiting a college president is one of the most important and difficult tasks for a board of trustees. The board of trustees at the University of Connecticut has embarked on this mission.

The reputation of any school in selecting a president is on the line. While a new president will impose his or her own agenda on the way the college interfaces with its constituencies, she must be able to navigate among a diverse group of constituents, including the board of trustees, students, teachers, parents, alumni, donors, government entities and the local community. Effectively co-existing with each of these parties requires a very special skill set.