The search for the next College of Engineering dean is nearing conclusion as three finalists have been named. Robert Bishop, Mark Law and Sarah Rajala comprise the remaining candidates who are either deans or associate deans of the College of Engineering at their respective universities.

In the two weeks following Thanksgiving break, these candidates will be in Ames to take part in interviews as well as participate in open forums for each candidate involving students, staff and everyone else in the campus community.

Robert Bishop is currently the dean of the College of Engineering at Marquette University and will be at a forum at Iowa State to discuss his candidacy Nov. 26.

Mark Law is an associate dean of engineering for academic affairs at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Law will be on campus Nov. 28, for a forum.

Sarah Rajala is currently the dean of the College of Engineering at Mississippi State University and will be at a forum Dec. 3.

Mufit Akinc has been serving on the interim dean since July 30.

In the words of Senior Vice President and Provost Jonathan Wickert, the prior engineering dean, the selected candidate will be “someone who has a great vision for the future.” Wickert hopes to find someone who understands “teaching engineering, doing research in engineering and also … the way that the engineering college works with companies.”

Above all else, Wickert states that the utmost importance lies in selecting a dean that can best represent students.

“[The new dean] will be very student-focused in how he or she will lead the college,” Wickert said.