Randy Hyman, Ball State University's interim vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, is exploring administrative positions at two universities.
Hyman, one of four finalists for the position of vice president for student life at the University of Toledo, was scheduled to visit the campus Wednesday and today. Hyman is also one of five candidates for the vice president for student affairs position at Eastern Illinois University. His interview is scheduled for Wednesday.
Hyman said he was flattered that he was considered for both administrative positions.
"I'm honored and humbled to be nominated for the position in each case, regardless of the outcome," Hyman said. "To be considered a finalist is a very large honor."
Although Hyman is interviewing for other administrative positions, he is not necessarily going to leave Ball State, Provost Beverley Pitts said.
"Sometimes people look at the opportunity to interview, and people do have the opportunity to interview all the time," Pitts said. "That doesn't mean they're going to leave the university."
President Jo Ann Gora could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Hyman came to the university in 1989 as the associate vice president for student affairs and became the dean of students in 2001. He became interim vice president for student affairs and enrollment management in late January after Gora asked Doug McConkey, former vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, to resign in December 2004.
Gora eliminated McConkey's position as vice president of student affairs to create a vice president of marketing communications and enrollment management position.
Colleagues nominated Hyman for the positions at Eastern Illinois University and the University of Toledo, he said. After the universities contacted him to let him know he had been nominated, he decided to move forward with the nomination.
"If the university looks like it might be a good fit for me, then I will respond to that nomination and allow my name to be entered into the candidacy," Hyman said.
Hyman said Eastern Illinois University and the University of Toledo are excellent universities with strong student affairs programs.
"I get nominated for lots of different jobs and don't respond to all of them, but these two positions looked like positions I should explore," Hyman said.
Both universities were appealing because of their dedication to students, Hyman said.
"Each of the universities have a strong emphasis on supporting student success and are interested in improving the quality of their undergraduate experience at the university," Hyman said. "In many ways, each of the universities is very much like Ball State in that regard."
Kay Bales, associate vice president for student life, said she hopes Hyman will makes the decision that is best for him.
"I certainly hope Dr. Hyman will make the best personal choice in the professional decision for himself and his family," she said. "I think if he were to leave the university, he would be missed."
Hyman has been asset to the university, building bridges between students and the city of Muncie and working closely with the counseling center, residence life, student organizations and student leaders, Pitts said.
"He does an awful lot of things on campus," she said. "He has a very broad administrative job, and any school would miss that leadership."
During his visit at the University of Toledo, Hyman will meet students, Student Life staff, faculty and administrators. An open forum for students, faculty, staff and community members will take place today.
Eastern Illinois University's position was advertised in the Chronicle of Higher Education and on its Web site. The search for the position began in February when Shirley Stewart, former acting vice president for Student Affairs, resigned. A new vice president is expected to be named in May with the chosen person beginning work in August.
After all of the candidates are interviewed, the universities' search committees will meet and decide who they will find acceptable and to whom they want to extend an offer, Hyman said.
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