One of the roles of a college dean is listening to the concerns of students, faculty and staff within the college. Wednesday afternoon, Iowa State’s dean of liberal arts and sciences will be listening in Fort Collins, Colo.

Dean Peter Rabideau is one of four candidates for a position as dean of Colorado State University’s College of Natural Sciences. He is the last of the candidates to visit the campus after a year-long search.

During his visit, Rabideau will meet with various constituent groups, including other deans and university administrators, said James Fry, chairman of the search committee.

“Colorado State is looking for somebody with a good deal of leadership,” said Fry, dean of the graduate school, “somebody with good scholarship and the ability to put together a vision for the college.”

The dean of the College of Natural Sciences is responsible for the departments of biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, psychology, and statistics.

The dean also supports students studying to be K-12 teachers of science and mathematics. The college offers 10 undergraduate majors and includes a student body of approximately 3,600.

ISU Provost Rollin Richmond said it is important to note that turnover in administration is not always negative.

“There is always a fair bit of turnover, especially within the administrative ranks,” he said.

Richmond, who has accepted the role of president at Humboldt State in Arcata, Calif., said it could even be viewed as positive that an institution’s administration be considered for positions elsewhere. He said it is a recognition of the good things the administrator has done.

“[Rabideau] has shown leadership in difficult times. That has been very important for us,” Richmond said.

Included in those “difficult times” are several state-imposed budget reductions to the university.

Fry said Colorado State is not without budget concerns, and the Colorado Legislature has not yet made a final decision for the coming year.

The other three finalists for the position are Henry Miranda, professor and chairman of the mathematics department and interim dean of the College of Natural Sciences at Colorado State; Michele Wheatly, professor and chairwoman of the Department of Biological Sciences at Wright State University; and Kirby Gilliland, professor and chairman of the Department of Psychology at the University of Oklahoma.

If Rabideau leaves Iowa State, an interim dean would be appointed and a national search would begin. Richmond said this would have little to no impact on students.

“This is a robust institution that has seen a number of changes,” Richmond said. “Iowa State is an old, established institution, the tradition, culture and direction are set.”

Rabideau could not be reached for comment.