Four finalists vie for EWU presidential post

CHENEY – Eastern Washington University trustees have narrowed their search for their next university president to four finalists from a field of 60 candidates.

The finalists are:

· David May, who is currently acting as the university’s interim-president.

· Shari G. McMahan, California State University-San Bernardino provost and vice president of academic affairs

· John Tomkowiak, the Founding Dean at Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University

· Monroe Gorden, Jr., is the UCLA vice chancellor of student affairs

May has an extensive background in law and his published several books on lawful subjects including the use of force by police and identity theft, officials said. He has a doctorate in political science and is an expert in Supreme Court politics.

McMahan has been awarded more than $5 million in external funding and has been apart of more than 50 peer-reviewed studies and has given dozens of presentations in the scientific community, officials said. She’s held numerous leadership roles in the health and science fields.

Tomkwiak touts a lot of public exposure compared to his competition.

He was named Seattle Magazine’s most influential people of 2021 and one of Living Magazine’s Top 50 power influencers in Spokane, officials said. He currently serves on the Council of Deans for the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Gorden’s experience spans many different modalities across the public university space including over 15 years of experience in student affairs and which includes bolstering diversity initiatives, officials said. He also has extensive experience in financing, research and grants, regulatory compliance, systems development and IT, and donor development and public relations.

The final four candidates were decided at the end of January and all four will be visited campus this week for more rounds of interviews and open forums with community members. After the final visits to the campus, the board of trustees will make their final negotiations and decide on the next president by the end of the month.