UPJ President Jem Spectar is among six finalists in a University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth chancellor search.
Several New England news outlets and The Associated Press reported the story.
The finalists’ names have been forward to UMass President Robert Caret, who is to recommend one to the UMass Board of Trustees, whose members decide.
According to a press release, Spectar, along with 11 other candidates, were interviewed over two days earlier in March.
The six finalists are to spend a day on the Dartmouth campus, with Spectar scheduled for Friday.
The campus visit events are to include a faculty forum, student and open forums.
A breakfast with area and alumni legislators, community and business leaders is also on the agenda.
A chancellor finalists evaluation sheet could also be found on UMass-Dartmouth’s website, allowing UMass students to submit their observations and concerns over individual candidates.
Ann Scales, an UMass-Dartmouth contact person, said all of the information could be found online, as they try to make the chancellor search as open as possible.
UPJ students may also wonder whether Pitt-Johnstown is ready for Spectar’s possible departure, as the news took many by surprise.
UPJ Associate Vice President for Alumni and Community Relations Robert Knipple said Pitt-Johnstown would be ready should Spectar move on.
“While it would be premature to announce plans for the President’s replacement, I am confident that the University will act swiftly to put a plan into place if the need arises.
“It is not uncommon for someone with Dr. Spectar’s record of accomplishments to attract the interest of other schools.
“His achievements at Pitt-Johnstown, not to mention those from his previous institutions, are quite impressive.”
Prior to his UPJ presidency, Spectar was a provost and professor at Western Oregon University; Associate Provost and Professor at the University of Scranton; Director of Studies and Lecturer at Princeton University; and Assistant Dean and Associate Professor of Law at University of La Verne College of Law in La Verne, Calif.
Spectar is also among three finalists who are current institution presidents.