The quest to fill former Provost Rollin Richmond’s shoes continues as a search committee reviews candidates .

Richmond left last spring to become president of Humboldt State University in California. Ben Allen is currently occupying the position as interim provost.

A call for nominations went out at the end of last spring semester, and the search committee met earlier this week to discuss potential candidates. Those interested in the position were invited to apply directly to the university, or could be nominated. No search firm was used.

“We’ve received well over 100 nominations,” President Gregory Geoffroy said.

Whoever is chosen for the job will break in a new title as well. The position’s name has been changed from Provost to Vice President of Academic Affairs and back to Provost. The position is now called Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost.

The committee renamed the provost position because “the title does a better job of describing the position,” said Richard Seagrave, distinguished professor of chemical engineering and chairman of the search committee. “It’s now more in common with our peer universities.”

The committee of 22 represents deans, professors and administration members searching for someone who will be a good overseer.

“All the deans of the colleges, the three vice provosts, the dean of the graduate school and the director of Ames Lab all report to the provost. The provost is responsible for the academic, research and outreach arms of the university,” Seagrave said.

Candidates for the job must demonstrate strong academic leadership and scholarly accomplishments, Seagrave said, along with some administrative experience at a university like Iowa State.

The Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost must work with deans in to establish priorities and plans for program development, recruitment, budget responsibility for university academic programs and reviewing academic appointments.