The presidential search committee has chosen Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates , a woman and minority owned firm, after reviewing all of the proposals.

A firm that specializes in higher education executive searches has been selected to guide MSU's presidential search, a university press release said.

In the past, the firm has conducted presidential searches for Wayne State University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Florida State University, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Pittsburgh.

“The experience of a highly reputable firm such as Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates is invaluable to a university like MSU,” MSU Trustee Dianne Byrum, co-chair of the presidential search committee, said in the press release. “Their proven ability to identify and recruit candidates from diverse backgrounds is particularly helpful for organizations seeking change.”

With the aim to receive input from the campus community on the qualifications and criteria for the university's next president, the presidential search committee began holding listening sessions last week, the first stage of the search process outlined in the presidential search timeline.

Representatives from Storbeck/Pimentel will attend the public listening session forums that are open to the entire community on Oct. 10 and Oct. 11 at the Kellogg Center.

On Oct. 10, the session will be held in Big Ten Room A and on Oct. 11, it will be held in the Lincoln Room. Both sessions will last from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Storbeck/Pimentel team working with MSU will be led by the co-founder and managing partner of the firm, Shelly Weiss Storbeck, as well as partners R. Thomas Fitch and Susan VanGilder, the press release said.

Students, faculty, staff and other members of the MSU community can fill out input forms on the presidential search website if they were unable to attend any sessions or have any further comments.