Lawrence University’s Board of Trustees and the University Administration have officially launched a national search for the next Dean of the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music. The search committee is co-chaired by Samantha George, Associate Professor of Music (Violin) and Sara Gross Ceballos, Associate Professor of Musicology, and includes nine other members of Lawrence University faculty listed below.

Lawrence selected Isaacson, Miller as our partner in this search, led by Partner Karen Avery and Managing Associate Keith Mason. Isaacson, Miller has considerable experience in searches for leaders of nationally recognized conservatories and schools of music. They will provide logistical support, advice, and guidance throughout the search process, working collaboratively with Provost and Dean of the Faculty Peter Blitstein. The interview process also includes various committees, including students, trustees, faculty, staff, and administration providing feedback for the search committee to use in their deliberations.

Learn more about Isaacson, Miller

Lawrence University of Wisconsin, through its undergraduate residential college and Conservatory of Music, educates students in the liberal arts and sciences. The university is devoted to excellence and integrity in all of its activities and committed to the development of intellect and talent, the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, the cultivation of sound judgment, and respect for the perspectives of others. Because of this we are committed to attracting an excellent and diverse pool of candidates in the search for the Dean of the Conservatory.

About the Search

Campus Listening Sessions & Input

From September 24-25, 2024, Isaacson, Miller, visited Lawrence University campus to meet with students, faculty, staff, and senior administrators to gather information and kick-off the search. They also surveyed the campus community. Input gathered has been used to formalize the Dean of the Conservatory of Music job description and inform the search.

Dean of the Conservatory of Music Job Description    

View the Job Description, Apply or Nominate a Candidate

Candidate Inquiries & Nominations

The search committee will work closely with national executive search firm Isaacson, Miller. This will be a confidential, closed search. Nominations, inquiries, and applications should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website.

Process Overview

The five process phases and approximate timelines are as follows:

  1. Phase 1 Milestone (Fall 2024) - Understanding the Need: In this phase, the Isaacson, Miller team interviews stakeholders and gathers additional input to formalize the job description/position profile and better understand the institution and climate to most accurately recruit. Also, with the Search Committee leadership, a search strategy is developed. As this phase concludes, a job description is formalized, and all aspects of the search tentatively scheduled.
  2. Phase 2 Milestone (December 2024) - Networking and Screening Candidates: In this phase, the Isaacson, Miller team builds a robust and diverse candidate pool for the search committee to continually review. Isaacson, Miller colleagues review resumes and conduct screening conversations with potential candidates. During this time, Isaacson, Miller and the Search Committee convene to calibrate our work, which continues to inform the targeted networking Isaacson, Miller is doing on our behalf with potential candidates.
  3. Phase 3 Milestone (January 2025) - Narrowing the Field: In this phase, the Isaacson, Miller team conducts in-depth interviews with potential candidates, researches the public profile of each potential candidate, and presents to the Search Committee the slate of candidates Isaacson, Miller feels fits Lawrence's needs. The Search Committee and Isaacson, Miller team convene during this time to narrow the pool.
  4. Phase 4 Milestone (February 2025) - Selecting Finalists: In this phase, the Search Committee interviews the narrowed pool of candidates from which the finalists are selected. The Isaacson, Miller team conducts robust reference checking and does extensive background checks.
  5. Phase 5 Milestone (March 2025) - The Final Choice: In this phase, the Search Committee provides detailed feedback on the finalists. The University President and the Provost and Dean of the Faculty formally select the hiring of the Dean of the Conservatory of Music with a broader announcement to the Lawrence community and public made after.

Search Committee

Latest Search News

 

About the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music

This is a special year for Lawrence University as we celebrate 150 years of both the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music and the Lawrence Community Music School. Lawrence will honor this rich legacy and embrace its promising future through special events, commissioned music, and other showcases highlighting the talent of past, present, and future musicians.

The Conservatory launched in 1874 with a single faculty member. It has grown over the past century and a half into the celebrated music conservatory it is today. With more than 50 areas of study, 360 students currently pursuing one of three music degree options (plus a possible dual degree), and 48 full-time and 23 part-time faculty, the Conservatory prepares students for the music careers of today and tomorrow.