The search continues for the new vice president of Student Life.

After Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson left the university in March of last semester, Dr. Jan Meyer has been serving as the interim vice president for Student Life.

A search committee was formed by Dr. Allison Garrett, vice president of the university, in February. The committee consists of ten staff and faculty members from various areas of the university. The committee had their first meeting Feb. 25.

The position has been advertised nationally. The search committee has received many applications which have gone through a rigorous screening process, Garrett said.

The committee does not have a conclusive date of when a candidate will be chosen. They hope that one will be chosen by next semester one but that is not their key goal, said Anthony Williams, chair of the search committee and chief business services officer.

“We’re going as fast as we can without being in a hurry,” Williams said. “We don’t have an exact date, and we don’t want to be governed by that.”

Two applicants have been interviewed on campus and more are expected to be invited later this semester.

Samantha Adkins, assistant director of Alumni Relations and member of the search committee, said the committee is looking for someone with experience.

“We’re looking for someone who can delegate, but who has a good heart,” Adkins said. “This position deals with a lot of emotion, sometimes crisis, so we’re looking for someone who has dealt with crisis before and someone who can bring a team together.”

When the two applicants for the position were invited to campus they were interviewed by a student group as well.

Dylan Benac, the president of the Students’ Association, headed the student interview group. Benac hopes the input of the students in the interview process helps determine the right candidate for the job.

“The vice president is the advocate for students,” Benac said. “This is the position that might matter most to students, so it’s important that students are a part of that process in hiring who that person is.”

Williams is confident the vice president position will be filled by someone who meets their expectations.

Williams said, “The committee members, Dr. Garrett and the administration of the university are working very hard together to select a candidate that will not just maintain the level of Student Life but will elevate it in a way that is befitting ACU.”