There are three candidates still vying for the new Director of New Student Programs position.

They are:

• Jeff Long, the director of student success at UW-Parkside.

• Adrianna Guram, the student services coordinator at UW-Madison.

• Kim Simes, the interim director of first year experience at UW-Whitewater

Each of them gave answers to three important questions regarding the job. The questions and answers can be found in the graphic to the right.

They each also had an open forum where they had a chance to field questions from members of the student body, faculty and community.

Associate Dean of Letters & Sciences David Travis, the head of the search committee for the job, said the new position was created to oversee the learning communities and first year experience offices after they merge in the fall 2012 semester.

“With the merger, we knew we wanted someone who could coordinate with other campus directors and administrators that are also involved in the first year experience,” Travis said.  “A variety of different participants are involved in that so we needed someone who could coordinate and communicate very, very well.”

According to Travis, it was difficult to narrow down the list of candidates from the nearly 50 submitted applications.

“We had quite a strong pool of applicants to begin,” Travis said. “It took us awhile to get down to just these final three, but I think we’re in great shape here to end up with someone who’s very good.”

Travis said his search committee was looking for a few key traits in each finalist.

“I’d say coordination, communication and a vision were probably the three most important things we were looking for,” Travis said. “In that regard, these three finalists are pretty ideal candidates”

Travis said the committee would make a recommendation to Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment and Retention Matt Aschenbrener by the end of this week or next, and he would ultimately make the final decision.

“He’ll take our recommendation into consideration,” Travis said. But in the end, it will be his prerogative to choose who he believes is the best candidate.”