BU president search down to three candidates

And then there were three.

The search for a new president of Brandon University is in its final stages and is down to three candidates from dozens of applications, says BU Board of Governors chair Kevan Sumner.

“Literally dozens of interested candidates,” Sumner said. “It was quite exceptional, but we only interviewed half a dozen in our first round. And now we’ve invited the three highest potential candidates to come and spend a day on campus, and then each of them will be delivering a presentation to our campus community.”

Last summer, current BU president David Docherty announced his intention to step down at the end of 2025.

Within in a week of receiving his notice, the board of governors launched the search process, which included hiring the recruiting firm KBRS — headquartered in Eastern Canada — to find his replacement.

The firm has put in the best recruitment effort Sumner said he has ever been involved in and has presented the 19-member presidential search committee with “some excellent candidates.”

When asked where the three top candidates were from, Sumner declined to “get into geographic specifics.” He did say they are diverse, and each has a unique perspective on why they feel they can lead the university.

“We’re looking for candidates with those leadership qualities that can really take up all the priorities that we’ve outlined in our current strategic plan — embracing diversity, equity and inclusion, working and with and engaging with our Indigenous community, and building on the university’s role as a regional university,” said Sumner.

“In my opinion, it’s already Canada’s best example of a regional university. But there’s always room to build on that role.”

A university president’s term is five years. Docherty was hired in 2019 and renewed his second term in July 2023.

As president, Docherty has a good working relationship with the BU Faculty Association, said its president, Gautam Srivastava.

“We developed that relationship over time,” he said.

Srivastava said he hopes the new president will prioritize creating partnerships with local industries to help students gain additional work experience.

Another issue for the new leader, he said, is to address Ottawa’s cap on international student permits, which has affected admissions at BU.

But above all, Srivastava said he or she needs to understand the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) among students and staff.

“We definitely want a president who takes EDI seriously, because we are so diverse here in Westman and that’s important for our community,” Srivastava said.

Each candidate has been invited to make a presentation to the BU community next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning.

While Sumner said he understands the interest the three candidates might generate with the public, he said the presentations are “oriented towards our campus community.”

After the presentations, KBRS will create an online survey and accept written feedback from those in attendance.

That feedback will be compiled and presented to the members of the presidential search committee, who will make a recommendation to the board of governors, with an expected announcement in June.

“We are hoping to get a new president who can take up the exceptional work that’s being done by our current and outgoing president and really hit the ground running,” Sumner said.

“Someone who can take that leadership role, engage with our community from Day 1 and be the face of our university.”

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