With the term of office of Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster, the fourth president of the University of the Virgin Islands, set to expire in 2009, the UVI Board of Trustees has retained Isaacson, Miller, a leading national executive search firm, to assist the University in its search for a new president. Isaacson, Miller, based in Boston, is experienced in leading searches for university and college presidents.

Dr. Auguste E. Rimpel, Jr., chair of the UVI Board of Trustees stated, "On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to formally thank Dr. Ragster for her valuable contributions to the University of the Virgin Islands. I have every assurance that she shares my commitment to fostering a smooth transition to the next presidential administration."

Dr. Ragster assumed the responsibilities of president of the University of the Virgin Islands on September 1, 2002, when President Emeritus Dr. Orville E. Kean retired. Her inaugural installation ceremony was held on March 16, 2003.

The University community has been advised of meetings scheduled to take place with representatives from Isaacson, Miller between March 12 and 14 on the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. At those meetings UVI faculty, students, staff and alumni, as well as community and business leaders, will be asked to provide input. The meetings are being held to enable the Isaacson, Miller team to learn more about the University and the challenges and opportunities facing the next president.

Following the next UVI Board of Trustees meeting on March 15th, a UVI presidential search committee, with representatives from various constituency groups, will be appointed to launch the presidential search process. On behalf of the Board, the UVI search committee will work with Isaacson, Miller in the coming months to develop and implement a plan to recruit a first-rate pool of candidates for the position. The Board expects to approve the position profile later in March. Through the search firm, the search committee will present to the Board a small number of finalists who will be interviewed and evaluated. The successful candidate will be appointed by the Board.

For further information on the UVI presidential search, please contact Gail Steele in the Office of the Liaison to the Board of Trustees at (340) 693-1008.