Penn Staters are invited to fill out an online survey to help the university search for its next president.

As a part of the university’s “Next Gen Penn State” initiative, the survey will collect feedback from students, alumni, faculty, staff, and other community stakeholders to learn what characteristics, priorities, and goals Penn State’s next president should have.

The confidential survey will be emailed to Penn State students, faculty, staff, and alumni. However, it’s accessible to anyone on the Next Gen Penn State website.

“Your voice is important, and we look forward to your engagement in this critical effort to help select Penn State’s next president and shape the future direction of our University,” Board of Trustees Chair Matt Schuyler said. “As a student, faculty, or staff member, alumnus, or a community member, we encourage you to share your thoughts and input by participating in the survey.”

Later this month, responses from the survey will be reviewed and compiled, along with responses from other Next Gen Penn State feedback mechanisms, such as a feedback form and conversations with university groups such as the Faculty Senate, Student Leaders Roundtable, Staff Advisory Council, and more.

The Next Gen Penn State Advisory Group will later submit a report to the Presidential Recruitment and Selection Committee that will help inform the upcoming presidential search process. The report will also be shared publicly.

The survey’s launch comes after President Eric Barron announced his plans to retire in June 2022 at the end of his current contract. The Board of Trustees also established the Presidential Recruitment and Selection Committee to aid in the process.

You can take the survey here.