Director Steve Epperson stayed on for a second year to ensure a successful search for a new Uni leader. Gargoyle photo by Andrea Park (click to enlarge)

URBANA — The search for the next Uni director, which had been delayed for the past year, is about to pick up momentum.

On Friday, representatives from the search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd. will visit the school to gather input on what the Uni community wants in a new leader.

According to Director Steve Epperson, they will “visit so students will be able to talk directly to them,” and “[t]hey will have questions for students about what person they need at Uni.”

The search got under way last year when Epperson began duties as interim director in August 2007, replacing former Director Kassie Patton. Epperson took the job after retiring as superintendent of Roselle School District No. 12, where he worked from 2001 to 2007.

However, due to a number of factors, including the need to make various facility improvements, the process was delayed. As a result, Epperson decided last fall to continue as director for another year in order to ensure the best candidate.

Now the search will restart in earnest.

“I want to make sure that people understand that we can’t let this process drag out,” said Epperson, “and that it needs to be done promptly, otherwise the best candidates take other jobs.”

This year Uni is in good shape to find a strong candidate after having hired a search firm, redesigned the director’s office, and repainted the walls and lockers.

“I was almost embarrassed last year to have people come into the office,” said Epperson. “That doesn’t send a very good impression to people who don’t know the school. First impression is important.”

This is Epperson's second stint as Uni's interim director. He taught math here from 1987 to 1990, then served as director during 1990-91 after his predecessor, Russell Ames, resigned. (For Epperson's background, see Andrea Park's profile from last year.)

In June, a Uni retreat was held at the Levis Faculty Center. Representatives from the search firm were present as members of the Uni community developed a profile listing the qualities sought in a future leader (see below).

When the search firm comes to Uni, the representatives will delve further into those qualities, meeting with students, faculty, and staff. Time has been set aside during lunch for teachers and staff; five students will meet with the firm during fifth period.

Hazard, Young, Attea will conduct the initial phase of the national job search. Once the candidates have been narrowed down, then the U of I Provost's Office will put together a committee to pick the final candidate.

If everything goes right, the chosen candidate will be named in late February to early March, according to Epperson. However, if a candidate is not named, then Epperson could stay for another year.

“In my job, you never say never,” Epperson commented. “I mean, I think it’s highly unlikely that will happen. We’ve got plenty of time now to find good candidates, and I don’t think that would be the case.”

A Profile of Qualities Sought in the Next Director

Director Steve Epperson sent an e-mail to Uni students and parents on Sep. 5 that included a document listing the qualities that a potential director should have. Here is the profile.

The director of Uni High should be a person who:

• Champions the needs of the school to the community and to the provost of the University of Illinois.
• Understands and has experience in fundraising.
• Collaborates with faculty members to achieve the mission and vision of the school.
• Demonstrates personal and intellectual integrity.
• Values the school’s university campus location and the freedom and responsibility given to students.
• Communicates openly and transparently with all those associated with the school.
• Understands excellence in high school education and supports the academic freedom of a talented staff.
• Represents the school faculty to the University of Illinois on matters of salary and benefits.
• Respects the current culture of the school while bringing new ideas for productive change.
• Focuses on the educational needs of the students of the school and makes decisions in collaboration with the school staff based on these needs.
• Implements staff development programs aimed at individual growth, collaborative school efforts, and high student achievement.
• Promotes the school’s athletic and fine arts programs.
• Recognizes and enlists the talents of graduates of the school for the good of the current students and program.
• Appropriates work time based on the need to maintain good order in the school while also representing the school in the community.
• Delegates appropriately to school staff based on the talents and skills of others.
• Demonstrates strong organizational skills aimed at effective and efficient management of the school.
• Supports students with special needs in a high school of high achievers.
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of the developmental needs of gifted and talented students and support services needed to meet these needs.
• Understands the value of a multicultural and diverse student body reflective of the diversity of the community.