The University of California announced today (Oct. 19) that the firm of R. William Funk and Associates, based in Dallas has been chosen to assist the Regents in selecting the 19th president of the 10-campus system.

"The selection of a new president is obviously a crucial step in charting the future of the University, and the Regents are confident that Funk and Associates will provide the UC community with the professional assistance to identify the best candidates for the position of leading the world's pre-eminent public research university," said Chairman Richard C. Blum, who is chairing the Regents' search committee.

Bill Funk, the company's founder, will personally provide the executive search services. Prior to founding his firm in August 2006, Funk worked for Korn/Ferry International for 14 years as national practice leader of the education practice and office managing director of Korn/Ferry's Dallas office. He started his career in executive search with Heidrick and Struggles.

"The presidency of the University of California is one of the most important positions in all of higher education. We are pleased to have been entrusted by the Regents to assist them in identifying and recruiting the very best possible candidates. We will cast a wide net to help find the most exemplary and qualified leaders for this role," Funk said.

Funk is a highly accomplished and respected search consultant serving higher education. He has conducted more than 250 searches for college and university presidents and chancellors. Called "the guru of higher education recruiting" by The Chronicle of Higher Education, his work includes extensive experience with other university systems as well as with single-campus appointments.

The firm will coordinate recruitment, but names can be submitted from any source. Names may be submitted to either the Secretary and Chief of Staff of The Regents (1111 Franklin St., 12th floor, Oakland, CA 94607, or email maryjane.alpaugh@ucop.edu) or Funk and Associates at krisha.creal@rwilliamfunk.com. There is no deadline in selecting the new president, and nominees are confidential throughout the process.

The professional services agreement with Funk and Associates, set at a fee of $90,000 plus expenses, extends for 12 months - although it is expected that the search will be completed before that time.

A Regents' search committee was formed following the Aug. 13 announcement of President Robert C. Dynes' decision to step down as the University's systemwide leader. In recent weeks, the regents' committee has met with the advisory committees for faculty, staff, alumni and students as well as campus chancellors and systemwide vice presidents.

"The search for a new president is proceeding. Over the two months, the Regents' committee has had the opportunity to meet with advisory groups representing the various constituencies within the UC community -- our faculty, staff, students and alumni -- as well as with campus chancellors and systemwide vice presidents to discuss goals, criteria and other general parameters related to choosing a new president," said Blum.

"We also have begun to hear their ideas about candidates. These conversations have been an illuminating and productive starting point; and this dialogue will continue as the process moves forward in the coming months," Blum added.

Widely recognized as the best public research university system in the world, the University of California includes more than 214,000 students, 170,000 faculty and staff, and a $17 billion annual budget. With 10 campuses at Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara, UC offers programs in more than 150 disciplines -- many of which are ranked among the top 10 nationally. UC's five medical centers support the clinical teaching programs of the University's medical and health sciences schools and handle more than three million patient visits each year. The UC system is also involved in managing the three U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories at Berkeley, Livermore and Los Alamos.

For more information about the UC system:
www.universityofcalifornia.edu

For more information about President Dynes and the selection process:
www.universityofcalifornia.edu/dynes/pressrelease.html

For more information about Funk and Associates:
www.rwilliamfunk.com