February 29 being Rector Rybinski’s last day in office, board members noted his many contributions to EHU during his tenure, including leading the team that secured an unprecedented seven-year accreditation for the university, the authorization of several new academic programs, and the launch of many promising fundraising initiatives.
Board members observed that EHU Chancellor Vilius Šadauskas has worked closely with Rector Rybinski for almost one year and is optimally positioned to carry forward the work they have undertaken together. In addition to ongoing rectorate activities, Interim Rector Šadauskas will lead numerous initiatives relating to academic program expansion, review of the university’s mission and strategies, internal reforms, and fundraising. The Interim Rector will draw on the resources of a capable rectorate staff, faculty, donors, and members of the governing boards in this work.
With respect to the search for a new rector – to be launched in early March – EHU is assembling a search committee with members drawn from faculty, students, donors, and governing boards. The committee will utilize the services of an executive recruiting firm to identify and vet rector candidates. While the duration of the process is subject to many factors beyond EHU’s control, ideally the search could be completed by summer and a new rector would take office by the opening of the academic year in the autumn. In addition to ongoing communications regarding transition and regular operational issues, the Interim Rector and the search committee will update the EHU community on the recruitment at key points in the process.