clemson university provost search 2014-15 case district iii award of excellence
TRANSCRIPT
Clemson University Provost Search
2014-15 CASE District IIIAward of Excellence
Not your typical search
Background: University in Transition
Change in leadership• President of 14 years stepped down; Provost retired• New president with external focus • Numerous key leadership positions vacant, filled by interims or people
who were close to retirement
Organizational restructuring• Provost elevated to Executive VP• Public service and economic development divisions split• College restructuring
Strategic Plan – vision and goals
The Team
Search Committee • 16 faculty members, including a dean and 6 named professors• 2 staff members, including 1 from Staff Senate• 2 students, including 1 from Student Government
Search Firm
Communications Committee • HR Talent acquisition manager• 8 Public Affairs staff members (marketing, media relations, internal
communications, video production, social media, web and creative design).
The Plan
Objectives• Identify and successfully recruit an outstanding chief academic officer • Strengthen the candidate pool • Create confidence in the search among core audiences through
transparency and engagement • Calm transition jitters and prepare for change• Enhance the national reputation of Clemson University • “Unspoken” objective
The Plan
Messages – external • A top-tier university at a pivotal moment – with a new, nationally known
president, $1B capital campaign well under way, and a $600M capital improvement plan in the early stages
• Clemson DNA -- Spirit, community of collaboration, people who embrace change
• Elevated position – clear #2 • Opportunity to build a leadership team • Unique history and culture – including governance structure• A decade (plus) of progress and positive momentum• Desirable location and quality of life
The Plan
Messages – internal • Clemson will be proactive and aggressive in the search• Encourage feedback and participation• Pledge openness and communication – every step of the way• Will be expedient but will hire the right person • 2nd most important hire of the past 15 years
The Plan
Tactics• Comprehensive,
dedicated website – leadership statement, nomination forms, updates, FAQ
• Integrated launch – ad campaign, press release, website, etc.
• Email from President Clements to nearly 1K academic leaders nationwide
The Plan
Tactics• Email templates for
faculty to distribute• Advertising – academic
press, new media, targeted social and retargeting
• Promotional video featuring top faculty, staff, students delivering the external messaging
The Plan
Tactics• Regular internal updates
through newsletter, faculty/staff website and President’s blog
• Encourage faculty, staff and students to share on their social sites.
• Open forums with finalists carried live on ClemsonTV
Results
1 month campaign• More than 400 contacts – more than half resulted from involvement of the
extended Clemson family• 200+ nominations• 100+ applications• 50+ nominees achieving highest levels of national distinction within their
disciplines• 3000+ clicks from online postings• 532 video views• 8500+ unique hits to website (~ 13,000 total)• Nearly 100 hashtag retweets (still in use for high-level searches)
Quote from search consultant – “This is the most aggressive marketing plan I’ve ever seen for a search, including presidential searches.”
Media cost
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Results
Clemson names WVU DeanAs 1st Executive VP/Provost