Gallaudet’s 10th President: What Are We Looking For?

Submitted by Erin.Esposito [1] on Tue, 09/15/2009 - 18:06

Weiner. Rosen. Stern. Hurwitz.

Wow!!!! What a magnificent group of finalists for the search of Gallaudet University’s 10th President!  All of the finalists are well suited and qualified to take on the role of the Presidency of an important cultural cornerstone of our Deaf Community.

It is a beautiful process – seeing how the seeds from the 1988 DPN protest for a Deaf President and the 2006 Protest on the quality of leadership have blossomed into what is a pool of candidates who not only embody Deaf Culture in every sense of the term, but who also exhibit phenomenal leadership skills.  Apparently, the 1988 and 2006 protests are a classical example of how we reap what we sow.

Now, with the finalists going to Gallaudet campus soon, we need to figure out exactly what we’re looking for in the next President?  I am not an alumnus of Gallaudet, but rather from RIT.  Regardless, the selection of the 10th President of Gallaudet University has an impact on me as a member of the larger Deaf Community, hence my vested interest in this process.

As exciting as this process is, I don’t want us to shy away from the valid points made in the 2006 Protest regarding racism, audism, linguicism, and other forms of discriminatory behavior and actions because these issues still linger on the Gallaudet campus.  This being said, I am especially interested to learn more about the component of the vision statement that addresses diversity, personal and professional success and wondering what Weiner, Rosen, Stern and Hurwitz offer insofar as their plans to genuinely and effectively address these aforementioned issues.  How do they propose to address the areas of diversity, personal and professional success, as well as research, innovation and outreach in a manner that helps bring Gallaudet to a new level?  Furthermore, what style of leadership will they utilize to bring these visions to fruition?

What are some of the thoughts you have? What areas are important to you?

Regardless of the outcome, all four finalists should be applauded for their willingness to throw their hats in the ring.  This is, in my mind, perhaps the most competitive search for Gallaudet University’s next President.

Bravissmo!