Fitchburg State University has selected three finalists in a nationwide search to replace President Richard Lapidus, who will retire at the end of this academic year. From left: Dr. Donna Souder Hodge, Vice President for Operations and Advancement, Colorado State University; Dr. Mark Obermeyer Velazquez, Dean and Chief Administrative Officer, University of Connecticut-Hartford; Executive Vice President and Provost, Bridgewater State University. Dr. Karim Ismaili. (Courtesy of Fitchburg State University)
FITCHBURG — Three finalists have been named the next president of Fitchburg State University. Candidates selected in a national search will visit college campuses in the coming weeks to meet with campus stakeholders, including a public forum with the public.
The university's Board of Trustees will vote on the appointment of the next president and submit the name to the state Department of Higher Education for final approval.
The next president will succeed Dr. Richard S. Lapidus, Fitchburg State's 11th president, who has led the school since 2015.
Each finalist will spend two days on campus, meeting with students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as holding public sessions for external stakeholders. The finalists, in the order of their scheduled campus visits, are:
• Dr. Karim Ismaili, Executive Vice President and President, Bridgewater State University. Dr. Ismaili's public forum will be held in the Ellis White Lecture Hall in Hammond Hall on Thursday, April 11th at 2:00 p.m.
• Dr. Mark Overmyer Velasquez, Dean and Chief Administrative Officer, University of Connecticut, Hartford. Dr. Overmyer-Velazquez's public forum will be held on Wednesday, April 17th at 1:45 pm in the Ellis White Lecture Hall in Hammond Hall.
• Dr. Donna Souder Hodge, Vice President for Operations and Advancement, Colorado State University Pueblo. Dr. Sauder-Hodge's public forum will be held on Tuesday, April 23 at 2:15 p.m. in the Ellis White Lecture Hall in Hammond Hall.
The national search was led by a committee appointed by the University's Board of Trustees earlier this year and chaired by Trustee Eric A. Gregoire, himself a 2011 graduate of the University. The search committee included campus and community representatives and worked with executive search firm Witkiefer to identify candidates for the position.
“The opportunity to lead Fitchburg State University has generated tremendous interest, and today I am proud to report that each of the finalists recommended embodies the characteristics we look for in our next president,” Gregoire said. he said. “These outstanding academic leaders come from diverse backgrounds and impressive experiences, and who understand Fitchburg State's special role as a regional university poised to lead into a dynamic and bright future. Great opportunities and significant challenges lie ahead for the next president, but we are energized by the opportunity to work together to ensure that Fitchburg State University thrives for the benefit of current and future students. and the broader community moving forward.”
Additional information about the search can be found at fitchburgstate.edu/presidential-search.
-Fitchburg State University
