Stephen Jordan has accepted the Board of Trustees' invitation to become Metro State's 15th president, Board Chair Bruce Benson has announced.

Following Wednesday's board meeting, Benson announced that Jordan had verbally accepted the Board's offer. "Dr. Jordan has strong ties to Colorado, and he clearly understands Metro State's role and mission as Colorado's College of Opportunity," Benson said. "Jordan possesses the skills needed to further the college's reputation as the premiere undergraduate-only institution in the nation," he added. "His career has come full circle," said Benson, noting that Jordan first began his career in Colorado in 1975.

Benson added that the contract and salary requirements will be discussed in the near future, and Jordan will likely start July 1.

Earlier today, the Board unanimously voted to offer the presidency to Jordan, after hearing positive campus feedback encouraging them to hire Jordan.

Biology Professor Joan Foster, representing the presidential search committee, said Jordan's application best met the advertised criteria. "He has our wholehearted support," Foster said, adding that he understands the college's mission, the different needs of traditional and non-traditional students, supports shared governance and is sensitive to multicultural communities. "We have all sorts of positive things to say about him."

Hal Nees, head of the Faculty Senate, said: "I believe that faculty generally supports the candidacy of Dr. Jordan and that he would support the needs of faculty. We believe Dr. Jordan would serve the college well as president."

Yvonne Flood, chair of the Council of Administrators, said: "The majority opinion is that Dr. Jordan could serve the college well. Administrators would be supportive of his appointment."

The Classified Staff Council also supports Jordan. In a letter submitted on behalf of the council, Vonda Knox stated that "Classified staff are in favor of hiring Dr. Jordan," noting that he has demonstrated knowledge of the vital role that classified staff play in the mission of the college.

Faculty and student trustees also weighed in. Faculty Trustee Eugene Saxe said the results of a faculty survey he distributed showed that "the comments were really quite balanced." Student Trustee Stephen Hay reported that the Student Government Association passed a unanimous resolution in support of Jordan, adding that some students expressed reservations with Jordan's commitment to diversity. Additional comments during the public comment session also focused on concerns with diversity and multi-cultural issues.

Representatives from the Alumni Association and Metro State Foundation also expressed support for Jordan.

This is the latest step in a nation-wide 18-month search process in which 200 individuals applied or were nominated. A 10-member Presidential Search Committee, including representatives from Metro's faculty, staff, student and alumni populations, forwarded various names, including Jordan's, to the Board. After naming Jordan as the solo finalist, the Board of Trustees brought him to campus for open interviews with campus groups last month.

The 57-year-old Jordan has been president of Eastern Washington since 1998. His doctorate and master's degree are in public administration from the University of Colorado at Denver and his bachelor of arts degree in political science is from the University of Northern Colorado. In addition, Jordan is a former vice chancellor for budgets and facilities at the University of Colorado Health Science Center and was principal policy/budget analyst for Colorado's Office of State Planning and Budgeting. While not a native Coloradan, he had lived here since childhood until he accepted a management post with the Arizona Board of Regents in 1989.