Thu, Nov 26 2009
|
|
Published October 29, 2009 10:06 pm - For Charles Cullum, the most important trait of a good leader is integrity. Cullum, a professor of English, and former associate provost and dean of graduate students at Kutztown (Pa.) University, is one of three finalists for the post of vice president of academic affairs at Missouri Southern State University. “I believe in completely open processes,” he said. “I believe a strength of mine is being able to work with people. Integrity is the single most important thing for any leader. Without it, you have nothing.” Candidate for MSSU post makes pitch to faculty By Greg Grisolano ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com For Charles Cullum, the most important trait of a good leader is integrity. Cullum, a professor of English, and former associate provost and dean of graduate students at Kutztown (Pa.) University, is one of three finalists for the post of vice president of academic affairs at Missouri Southern State University. “I believe in completely open processes,” he said. “I believe a strength of mine is being able to work with people. Integrity is the single most important thing for any leader. Without it, you have nothing.” A search committee headed by MSSU President Bruce Speck selected Cullum as one of three finalists from a pool of 21 applicants. Cullum made his pitch to about 20 faculty members during a 90-minute question-and-answer session Thursday afternoon at the university. The faculty members in attendance questioned him on issues related to shared governance, academic policy, distance learning and MSSU’s international mission. At one point, the conversation turned to issues surrounding tensions that have resulted in the scheduling of a Monday vote on the faculty’s confidence in Speck’s leadership abilities. Cullum declined to comment on the specifics of the situation, but he said he believes a no-confidence vote, in general, is “a horrible, horrible situation.” “A no-confidence vote is the most drastic step faculty can take,” he said. “It poisons the atmosphere. It’s hard to imagine a worse situation for an administrator to go through.” Asked in a follow-up question whether the outcome of the vote might affect his decision on taking the job at Southern, Cullum said, “Sure.” Cullum said the university faces “significant challenges” but that he is optimistic that they can be overcome. “There’s a lot of passion and dedication here from the faculty and staff,” he said. “They all understand there are these potential problems, particularly financially. But for the most part, they all believe the institution will get through it.” John Knapp, a professor of physical science who attended the session, said he thought Cullum “seemed pretty knowledgeable.” “He had a good idea of what an academic vice president has to do,” he said. 
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Joplin Metro section
Canine ‘pawsengers’ take inaugural pet rescue flight Fourth Street scheduled to reopen |
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
Photographer documents struggle with cystic fibrosis w/ slide show and link to National Transplant Assistance Fund page
 |
 |
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:
 |
|||||||
|
|||||||
 |
|
|
Published by Newspaper Holding, Inc. 117 East Fourth Street, Joplin, MO 64801 Using our site is your agreement to the terms and conditions. News: news@joplinglobe.com • (417)623-3480 Advertise with the Joplin Globe Copyright © 2006 The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO All rights reserved. 
|
Popular Business directory links - Joplin Apartments | Joplin Attorneys | Joplin Auto Dealers | Joplin Auto Parts | Joplin Auto Repair | Joplin Beauty Salons | Joplin Car Rental | Joplin Dentists | Joplin Doctors | Joplin Flowers | Joplin Hotels | Joplin Insurance | Joplin Loans | Joplin Mortgages | Joplin Movers | Joplin Pizza | Joplin Realtors | Joplin Restaurants | Joplin Storage | Joplin Tax Preparation | Joplin Travel | Joplin Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
