Northeastern’s next president should be a champion of strong academics, a consensus builder, and an expert at fundraising and marketing the university internationally. Passionate, too.

So goes the ideal-candidate portrait sketched by faculty, staff, and students who spoke at presidential-search open forums held during December.

The ability to cultivate capital was a constant theme. “I believe the next president should be out there raising funds,” said associate biology professor Kostia Bergman. “It’s critical. We just can’t go on being a wonderful place that doesn’t have enough money.”

Patricia Denn, director of foundation relations, agreed, saying it would be “nifty” if Northeastern could hire someone with a successful fundraising record.

Others said the importance of academics is paramount. Several faculty members stressed the importance of forging ahead with the academic initiative that’s funneling $75 million toward the hiring of a hundred new professors.

Philosophy professor Stephen Nathanson told search committee members that academics and practice-oriented education are equally important, and cautioned against an “either-or” mentality.

Others said they hope the next president will represent Northeastern both nationally and internationally, and unify many voices and ideas into a central mission that all constituencies can support.

"We need someone who has the ability to look at the big picture, look at the little picture, and develop a common vision of where we all want to go,” said Meredith Harris, associate professor and chair of physical therapy.

Students, for their part, hope the next president will forge strong ties with them. “We need a president who reaches out to students and really listens,” said junior Sergio Marrero, president of the Latin American Student Organization.

The presidential search committee, chaired by trustee George Chamillard, UC’66, MBA’70, has retained a consultant to aid in the search: Barbara Taylor, from Academic Search Consultation Service, in Washington, D.C.

According to the committee’s first report to the Northeastern community, released in December, Taylor has served as consultant to more than 150 colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations. Her company was the firm that brought President Freeland to the university in 1996.

Remarking on Northeastern’s transformation from a “gray factory to a highly residential smaller school that has momentum,” Chamillard predicted this presidency would be an enticing draw for the right person. “We’ve got a heck of a good product,” he said.

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