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News / Northwest

UW presidential search yields finalist

By Dahlia Bazzaz, The Seattle Times
Published: January 15, 2025, 5:25pm

SEATTLE — The University of Washington is close to announcing its next president. However, the identity of that person is still a secret.

Late last week, the university’s Board of Regents voted on two finalists with experience leading large universities. Using pseudonyms to discuss their decision, the majority of board members approved Candidate 2.

The university plans to announce the decision after conducting a background check and completing salary negotiations with the preferred candidate. The identities of the finalists are kept secret to protect applicants concerned about their current employer knowing they were interested in another position, said Blaine Tamaki, the board’s president.

The role of the UW’s president is monumental, not only for the institution but for the state’s economy.

The president is charged with steering a complex enterprise that encompasses a medical system, global research initiatives and the state’s largest public university system. The position is also among the highest-paid state employees, and the next president will be paid between $825,000 and $1.1 million annually.

The new leader will succeed Ana Mari Cauce, who has served as president since 2015. The first woman, Latina and openly gay person to hold the post, she led the university through the COVID-19 pandemic. She also oversaw significant advancements in the university’s medical system, including opening the Center for Behavioral Health and Learning. She was in leadership as the university implemented the Husky Promise, which guarantees full tuition to Washington residents whose full costs are not covered by scholarships or grants.

She will return to the university’s faculty as a psychology professor once her term ends in June.

The search for Cauce’s successor has been underway since last spring. The university’s governing board paid SP&A Executive Search $330,000 to lead the process.

The board also created an advisory board composed of UW community members to shape the rubric for selecting the best candidates. It also held listening sessions where the public could provide feedback on what kind of leader they would like to see.

The firm began by surveying university leadership and community members about their desires for a candidate. Over the summer, SP&A started outreach to 500 prospective candidates to gauge their interest. That yielded six finalists who were interviewed over three rounds and then whittled down to two finalists.

In the meeting last week where the board voted to select the finalist, the members shared that both candidates had distinguished records of leadership and a deep understanding of what it would take to lead a university of UW’s stature.

“I have been literally torn between the two candidates,” said Tamaki just before a vote was taken. He said he liked the “style” and “charisma” of Candidate 1, who he eventually supported during the vote.

Constance Rice, a board member, lauded Candidate 1’s extensive experience in education and management, noting his personable demeanor and communication skills. “It was a pleasure to engage with him,” Rice said, emphasizing the candidate’s expertise in sports and medical schools.

Rogelio Riojas echoed these sentiments, calling Candidate 1 an “experienced administrator” with a “great disposition” and apparent leadership ability.

However, the majority of regents leaned toward Candidate 2. Maggie Walker described the preferred candidate as “the best pick” for the university’s current challenges, while David Zeeck appreciated their clear strategic vision.

The timeline for the announcement is unclear. University officials targeted a broad range of time, between January and May, to name the next leader.

Washington State University is also searching for its next leader. President Kirk Schulz, who has led the university since 2016, will retire in June.

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