OUSAP holding forums for program coordinator position
With the field narrowed, three candidates are up for the positions of program coordinator for Ohio University Survivor Advocacy Program.
Candidates Kaytie Ochenkowski, Cheryl Cesta and Delaney Anderson are now being brought in to campus for the final rounds of interviews.
The search committee consisted of a variety of university officials — and from Wednesday through Friday, public forums will allow the general public to ask their questions.
OUSAP provides confidential reporting and resources for survivors of sexual assault. The service is overseen by the Women’s Center, mainly its Director Susanne Dietzel.
“We are a public institution and our search processes are supposed to be transparent,” Dietzel said. “I think having these forums … helps us to gauge the candidates, but it also gives the candidates a chance to gauge us.”
Resumes and cover letters are also available in the center for individuals who would like to see. Sarah Jenkins, program coordinator for the LGBT and Women’s centers, said this public feedback will allow the community to be exposed to the candidates and allow for feedback.
“I think that it gives us more insight into how they interact with students … so we get more feedback and people can voice their opinions, … and it can only lead to a better quality hire,” Jenkins said.
The candidates come from varied backgrounds, but all have experience in some form of advocacy work in their resumes. Ochenkowski is a recent graduate of the MSW Program at the University of Michigan. Cesta is an activist and counselor in Athens, and has also done self-defense classes through the Women’s Center. Anderson is a recent graduate of the MSW Program at Florida State University.
After this week of interviews, Dietzel said the search committee will take into consideration the feedback from the forums but there is not a set date of when the new-hire will be confirmed. The search committee needs to also look at references for the candidates before final decisions are made.
“The forums provide an opportunity for the community to provide input into the search,” Dietzel said. “Ultimately, the decision on who to hire will be the search committee’s, but certainly the feedback that will be gathered … from the forums will play a part.”
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