The appointment of Dr. Jim Borsig as Mississippi University for Women’s new president was a group effort.
That theme was emphasized repeatedly during his all-day Wednesday campus meetings with community leaders, deans, department heads, faculty, staff, students, alumni and anyone interested in the future of Columbus’ historic institution of higher learning.
College Board trustee Christy Pickering said the listening sessions in August with the community to determine the school’s next president were important — and listened to.
The campus community developed its unique rating system to winnow the more than 40 candidates who applied for the job. Pickering said the College Board took the rankings and campus community’s desires to heart.
Those who attended question-and-answer sessions on Wednesday were asked rate Borsig in seven areas — enthusiasm and interest, leadership, communication, academic credentials, fiscal management, diversity commitment and vision for MUW.
Dr. Sue Jolly-Smith, a W alum and dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences, echoed that sentiment. “I believe in this process. This was a 20-something step process.”
She was chairwoman of the campus search advisory committee and a member of the subcommittee that participated in the interview. Support for Borsig was unanimous among the campus committee, she said.
Borsig said the community made him feel so welcome even though he has been on campus many times during his career. He, too, heard what the campus community wants.
“We don’t have to retreat from who we are to become what we want to be,” he said, referring to the university’s family atmosphere and history of educating women to empower them.
The W’s enrollment trends at around 80-percent women. Borsig said he wants to add to the university’s role in the community so anyone from any background can feel welcome and at home whether physically on campus or taking classes online.
He repeated the need for the community to continue to stay involved to make The W a more valuable asset.
“We need your advice,” he said. “We need your love. We need your money.”
That community involvement will position the university to exploit its niche of a private school education on a public school budget, Borsig said. “We’ve got to make sure that we’re relevant.”
The way to stay relevant is to keep the focus on students, he said.
Community members, not just The W president, are ambassadors for the university to make it stronger, Borsig said. “Friend raising is as important as fund raising.”
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