Chair Recommendations
Formal department chair recommendations following finalist interviews and committee review.
Awaiting Chair Decision
Associate Professor of Environmental Science
Chair: Dr. Julian Okoye
Finalist
Decision
The chair's decision is final. AI tools may summarize evaluations but do not recommend a candidate.
Professor of Nursing (Clinical)
Chair: Dr. Yolanda Pierre-Whitmore
Finalist
Decision
The chair's decision is final. AI tools may summarize evaluations but do not recommend a candidate.
Recorded Recommendations
Dr. Alicia Whitcombe
Associate Professor of Educational Leadership · Chair: Dr. Elena Vasquez-Marsh · Jul 15, 2026
Rationale
Dr. Whitcombe demonstrated the strongest combination of research alignment, leadership vision, and teaching effectiveness across all three finalists. Her research agenda on leadership behaviors and teacher retention directly extends the department's strategic priorities, and the search committee reached consensus in her favor. She is recommended for appointment at the Associate Professor rank with a target start date of September 1, 2026.
Strategic Alignment
Directly extends the department's retention and school-improvement research portfolio.
Department Needs
Fills a critical gap in doctoral supervision capacity following an upcoming retirement.
Availability
Confirmed availability for a September 1, 2026 start date.
Relocation Considerations
Candidate has confirmed willingness to relocate; no accommodation requests outstanding.
Dr. Marcus Sorensen
Associate Professor of Management · Chair: Dr. Ingrid Solano · Nov 5, 2025
Rationale
Dr. Marcus Sorensen demonstrated the strongest overall fit across teaching, research, and departmental alignment among the finalist pool. The search committee reached consensus, and the chair recommends appointment at the Associate Professor rank.
Strategic Alignment
Directly supports the department's priorities in Management.
Department Needs
Program growth in entrepreneurship track
Availability
Confirmed availability for the 2026-01-15 start date.
Relocation Considerations
No outstanding relocation accommodations requested.
Dr. Malia Pierre-Whitmore
Assistant Professor of Data Science · Chair: Dr. Anika Rousseau · Nov 5, 2025
Rationale
Dr. Malia Pierre-Whitmore demonstrated the strongest overall fit across teaching, research, and departmental alignment among the finalist pool. The search committee reached consensus, and the chair recommends appointment at the Assistant Professor rank.
Strategic Alignment
Directly supports the department's priorities in Data Science.
Department Needs
New data science concentration launch
Availability
Confirmed availability for the 2026-01-15 start date.
Relocation Considerations
No outstanding relocation accommodations requested.
Dr. Terrence Whitfield
Professor of Curriculum and Instruction · Chair: Dr. Nathaniel Ford · Nov 5, 2025
Rationale
Dr. Terrence Whitfield demonstrated the strongest overall fit across teaching, research, and departmental alignment among the finalist pool. The search committee reached consensus, and the chair recommends appointment at the Professor rank.
Strategic Alignment
Directly supports the department's priorities in Curriculum and Instruction.
Department Needs
Senior leadership hire for curriculum redesign initiative
Availability
Confirmed availability for the 2026-01-15 start date.
Relocation Considerations
No outstanding relocation accommodations requested.
Dr. Desmond Rousseau
Assistant Professor of Finance · Chair: Dr. Marcus Delaney · Nov 5, 2025
Rationale
Dr. Desmond Rousseau demonstrated the strongest overall fit across teaching, research, and departmental alignment among the finalist pool. The search committee reached consensus, and the chair recommends appointment at the Assistant Professor rank.
Strategic Alignment
Directly supports the department's priorities in Finance.
Department Needs
Program growth in corporate finance track
Availability
Confirmed availability for the 2026-01-15 start date.
Relocation Considerations
No outstanding relocation accommodations requested.