Regent: Search for UNR's next president to draw 'very strong and rich candidate pool'

There is a growing interest in the top post at the University of Nevada, Reno.

"We are going to have the luxury of a very strong and rich candidate pool," said Regent Rick Trachok, who is overseeing the committee to fill the post that is being vacated by retiring President Marc Johnson.

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Trachok said he has received applications and inquiries but the formal process is just starting with the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents. The board met Friday to discuss what qualifications make up an ideal candidate. Those qualifications will be reviewed and put into a formal document.

After confidential candidate interviews by the chancellor and chief of staff of the Nevada System of Higher Education, three to five names would likely be made public and the process would move forward.

With those candidates, there will be a series of public meetings on campus beginning on April 1. Video interviews are scheduled for April 13 and 14.

Candidates will visit the campus on April 27 and 28 and feedback from various groups will be compiled.

The search committee will conduct public interviews on April 29 and 30 and recommend a candidate to the board.

The board will vote on that candidate at its meeting on April 30.

Candidates

UNR Provost Kevin Carman said he will formally apply for the position

"I know there is a process, and I respect that process, but I do intend to be a candidate," Carman said in an interview with the Reno Gazette Journal on Thursday.

Rumors have swirled that former Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval is also considering filling Johnson's shoes.

Sandoval has not announced if he will apply.

“The person has to absolutely have the academic chops,” Johnson has previously said when asked about Sandoval, who finished his second term as governor in 2018 and is now a gaming executive.

Johnson, who has been at the helm of the growing institution for eight years, announced in October he would retire but continue to teach. His last day as president is June 30.

Siobhan McAndrew tells stories about the people of Northern Nevada and covers education in Washoe County. Read her journalism right here. Consider supporting her work by subscribing to the Reno Gazette Journal.