Iowa State has been without one of two Assistant Deans for a year. Within a few weeks, that position should be filled, Iowa State Dean Kathleen MacKay said.

In April, advertisements were sent out nationwide requesting all qualified individuals to apply for the vacant position.

Nine students and staff members formed a search committee to review more than 90 applications received for the job.

“It’s a very diverse committee, one that represents the composition of the university well,” said Delores Hawkins, committee chair.

Leaders from GSB, the Panhellenic Council, residence halls, international students, recreation services and ISU’s affirmative action are all represented on the committee, Hawkins said.

Telephone interviews were used to narrow down the field of candidates.

The search committee will recommend their favorite of the five finalists soon. The final decision will be made by MacKay, who began her duties in May.

“I told the committee not to recommend anyone they don’t think can do the job,” said MacKay.

On-campus interviews have been conducted this past week. The question and answer sessions were open to all students, but only about five students attended each interview.

The students who attended were asked to complete a questionnaire, as well as the other faculty who interviewed the candidates.

“This is a person who deals with lots of people. We need a good well-rounded perception,” MacKay said.

Five candidates are currently being considered for the position.

One candidate is William Jerome Blake. He is currently the assistant vice president for student affairs and the dean of students at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C.

Blake has been active in the Greek Council and advising fraternities and sororities at both Johnson C. Smith and Kent State University, where he served as the coordinator of student life programs.

Blake also designed and directed an unemployment project in Akron, Ohio. He has taught at collegiate levels for nearly 10 years.

Terri Houston is the director of the Department of Student Leadership and Activities at Ferris State University in Michigan. Houston advises 140 student organizations, including the Student Senate, Panhellenic and Entertainment Boards.

She was the assistant director for the Department of Minority Student Affairs when she founded the “You are Beautiful Black Women” Conference.

Other achievements include being a member of the Campus Safety Task Force, National Association for Student Personnel Administrators and National Association of College Activities.

Carol Cordell, who is currently helping fill the position, is also one of the candidates. She has been the ISU student organization development coordinator since 1988.

This past year, her responsibilities have broadened to help cover the vacant assistant dean position.

“We need to re-look at the roles and relationships with the Assistant Dean position and prioritize. Who do we need at what level for what kind of things,” Cordell said.

E. Mitchell Kilcrease, another candidate, is the director of student activities and Greek life at Washburn University.

He has dealt with campus activities, student government, Greek life and student publications.

He is a member of the National Association of Campus Activities and the National Association for Fraternity Advisors and the regional coordinator of the National Association of Campus Activities.

Paul Wolansky, the fifth candidate, is the director of the Student Center and student activities at Quinnipiac College in Connecticut.

Wolansky has advised the inter-greek council and 35 student organizations.

In addition to managing residence areas, he is a member of the National Association of Campus Activities.

All of the recommendations and evaluations for the five candidates are still being reviewed.

“I hope to announce the candidate of choice within the next few weeks. I am hoping the person will start in August,” MacKay said.

MacKay said it is going to be a tough decision.