2 searches for leaders underway as Belvidere Superintendent Michael Houselog preps for Rockford University - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

By Corina Curry
Rockford Register Star

Posted Aug. 9, 2015 at 7:54 PM

ROCKFORD — In about 10 days, Belvidere School District Superintendent Michael Houselog will become the new director of graduate programs in education at Rockford University, heading up a department attended in large numbers by area teachers seeking advanced degrees and those studying to enter the field of education.

Houselog joins an organization that’s actively seeking a new leader and leaves an 8,600-student school district in Boone County to do the same, setting the stage for dynamic changes in the region's educational landscape.

Houselog's primary focus will be development and oversight of varied offerings in education at the graduate level. The university has 13 programs in education, from obtaining a master's degree in teaching to professional licensure or endorsement. The college has 150 to 200 full- and part-time students in such programs.

The position was part time but is being expanded to full time so the university can best serve the community's needs.

“Dr. Houselog’s years of experience as a superintendent, principal and teacher are valuable assets that will enhance Rockford University’s ability to meet the dynamic needs of today’s educators,” interim Provost Belinda Wholeben said. "We are quite fortunate to be in a position to have a full-time staff member fully dedicated to the expansion and assessment of this program, to focus on outreach and finding out the needs of our educators."

Making the director's position full time will allow the university to expand on partnerships with school districts in the region and professional development opportunities, said Kimberlee Wagner, assistant professor of education and head of the university's education unit. It will also give Wagner more time to focus on redesigning elementary, middle and early-childhood education programs to incorporate new standards in teaching.

Increase access

Rockford University is a private, liberal arts college. It has about 900 full-time undergraduate students and 400 to 500 full-time-equivalent students enrolled in special programs or seeking master's degrees.

Houselog is landing there after three years seeking superintendent jobs in his native Iowa. Since 2012, he’s been a finalist in superintendent searches in Marion, Dubuque, Johnston and Southeast Polk school districts.

Those days are done, Houselog said. Relocating is "not part of my interest now. This job creates exciting new opportunities for me. ... I've always been interested in higher education."

Houselog said he's also not interested in applying for university's presidency.

"I am focused on becoming the new director of graduate programs in education and being successful at that," he said.

"I'm excited to learn more about the programs and add to them, to make them more accessible to people in the region and maintain the high quality. ... I'll want to stay out of the duplication business and look into areas where we, as a region, may be missing the boat and try to cultivate that."

Page 2 of 2 - The university is eager to explore new opportunities in online education and assisting educators in becoming trained to teach English as a Second Language.

Superintendent search

Houselog, 63, made the announcement July 13 that he would be retiring from the Belvidere district. His last day will be Aug. 14.

The district is just beginning its process to find a replacement. The School Board met July 30 and decided to seek proposals from three search firms to assist the board in hiring an interim superintendent and a new superintendent.

The board plans to meet Aug. 10 to receive presentations from the firms, then select a temporary superintendent and select a search firm at its board meeting.

The district has about 8,600 students enrolled in 10 schools.

President sought

Rockford University is also seeking a new leader.

Robert Head announced plans in February to close out his seven-year tenure. He will stay through the remainder of his contract, June 30, 2016.

The search for his successor started last spring.

Jim Keeling, vice chairman of the board of trustees, is heading the search committee; its 13 members represent university employees, students and community members.

The committee reviewed proposals from eight executive-search firms that specialize in higher education, hiring Hyatt–Fennell of Conway, Pennsylvania.

“We’ve been engaged in some self-study,” Keeling said. “Looking at where we are. What kind of competencies and qualities do we seek? At the end of August, the firm will come to campus and do some more of that.”

Keeling expects to attract top candidates: “The university is doing quite well right now. It has worked hard to redefine itself.”

The board should see a group of applicants by late October or early November, Keeling said. Interviews are likely to take place in December. The committee hopes to select a new president in early 2016.

That would give the candidate plenty of time to give notice and be on the job before Head leaves. The university hopes to avoid having to hire an interim president.

Keeling believes the university’s next leader should be a visionary.

“It’s a position where you really have to be able to do it all. The person needs to be a good leader and a good team member. … Higher education is changing very rapidly. There has to be a vision for what we’re going to be.”

Head will continue to work at the university on a part-time basis, assisting with special projects.

Corina Curry: 815-987-1371

2 searches for leaders underway as Belvidere Superintendent Michael Houselog preps for Rockford University - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL