The search is on to fill the shoes of Rab Mukerjea, former assistant to the president for budget, planning and analysis at Iowa State.

The position opened when Mukerjea left Iowa State at the end of February to join former ISU President Martin Jischke at Purdue University.

ISU Interim President Richard Seagrave said he and a small search committee have advertised on the ISU job Web site and have also sent out mailings to all deans, department chairs and senate directors asking for nominations and applications.

“It’s an internal search,” Seagrave said.

Search committee members will narrow the list down and select two or three candidates for the position, with Seagrave’s help.

Committee members include Johnny Pickett, assistant vice president for Business and Finance, Faye Whitaker, associate provost, and Carol Bradley, assistant to the president, Seagrave said.

ISU President Gregory Geoffroy will also interview the candidates during a visit, most likely in May, and select the new assistant, he said.

“Ideally, the person will have some experience with budget, some experience with strategic planning and have at least a master’s degree,” Seagrave said.

The position could be filled by a faculty member or a professional and scientific staff member.

“Another person like Rab Mukerjea would be excellent,” Seagrave said. “That’s not often possible, but that’s what we’re hoping.”

Administrators hope to have the position filled by May, he said.

“It’s a very important position, and we hope we can fill it soon,” Seagrave said.

Geoffroy said he will only be involved in the final selection of the person who is appointed.

“I’d like to see someone who has many of the same sets of qualities that Rab Mukerjea had – someone who is very good with budget details and who is a careful, detail-oriented person because of the importance of that person in budget planning and liaison with the regents,” he said.

Mukerjea said the next president’s assistant also needs to be comfortable doing a lot of analysis, as well as strategic thinking.

“The position requires a broad set of responsibilities across the university and one that can keep focus on the big picture and at the same would be comfortable in working with a lot of details,” he said.

After coming from an administrative position in design, Mukerjea said the position of assistant to the president gave him a chance to participate at the university level.

“I had a very rewarding time during the period I served in that position,” he said. “It gave me an opportunity to learn a great deal about the university.”