During Michigan State University’s search for a new president, UTSA President Taylor Eighmy was named as a top candidate for the position. According to The State News, Eighmy subsequently dropped out of the race for unknown reasons.
Isaacson, Miller, the independent firm conducting the search, had narrowed down the pool of candidates to two finalists, including Eighmy and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz. Guskiewicz has since been appointed as the new president of MSU in the aftermath of Eighmy’s withdrawal.
When contacted regarding Eighmy’s withdrawal, MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant declined to comment.
Eighmy’s withdrawal comes after the MSU faculty senate, as well as various campus organizations, have criticized the university for the secrecy surrounding the search. The university reasoned that secrecy was essential for the search as it “attracts the best candidates by allowing them to apply without the knowledge of their current employers.”
When contacted regarding his candidacy, Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications and External Affairs Joe Izbrand stated “President Eighmy is delighted to be at UTSA and is excited for the future here.”
