The search for the next Leonard Sandridge has officially begun. Sandridge, UVA’s current Chief Operating Officer (COO), has worked at the University for more than 40 years. He announced his retirement last year, but agreed to stay on as a consultant to ease President Teresa Sullivan’s transition. He will retire in July.
UVA hired Spencer Stuart, a consulting firm, to help with the nomination and interview process. The University’s internal search committee includes Helen Dragas, vice rector of the Board of Visitors; Nancy Rivers, Sullivan’s chief of staff; Mary Ohaneson-Laughton, director of conference services and its chair; and Carl Zeithaml, dean of the McIntire School of Commerce, among others.
According to a recently published job description, the next COO “shall have supervision of the financial affairs of all colleges, schools, and divisions of the University and shall advise the Board of Visitors and the President, under whose immediate direction he or she shall be, on all financial matters affecting the University.”
The committee will meet on January 27 and February 18, and plans to propose a candidate by the second quarter of the year.