A commitment to diversity was one of the things members from the Arizona Board of Regents' Northern Arizona University presidential search advisory committee said they want to see from the university's future and its next leader. They discussed their ideal vison for the university and the leadership qualities they are look for in the next NAU president during their Friday meeting. 

In addition, Ora Marek-Martinez, the executive director of the university’s Native American Cultural Center, is looking specifically for a commitment to indigenous communities and students. She cited NAU’s support of the Navajo Nation during the pandemic as an example of the university's ongoing commitment. 

“I feel very strongly that given the location that we are in and given the commitments that we have that this has to be a part of this overall leadership quality," she said. 

NAU faculty members on the committee would like the next president to be someone who has experience in leadership roles within higher education and understands the needs of university, as oppose to a candidate outside of the academia who understands business needs.