In early 2024, APSA President Mark Warren formed a search committee chaired by former APSA President Paula D. McClain, Duke University, to search for a new executive director. The committee included president-elect Taeku Lee, Harvard University; Terri Givens, University of British Columbia; Costas Panagopoulos, Northeastern University; Andy Aoki, Augsburg University; Lauren MacLean, Indiana University; and Casey Nosal, APSA Director of Member Services.  

In early February, current Executive Director Steven Rathgeb Smith, in consultation with President Warren, engaged an experienced consultant, John W. Curtis, Ph.D. to assist the search committee. Dr. Curtis offers a range of services focusing on higher education, diversity and equity issues, membership associations, labor, and international development. He holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Johns Hopkins University.  

The position announcement was posted initially on February 14 and included in an APSA newsletter initially sent to all members on February 27. The position announcement was also featured on the APSA website and in PSNow. Notices were also posted on social media and various job boards. The position announcement was then recirculated several times, including being sent specifically to Organized Section Officers and chairs of member political science departments. Everyone was encouraged to share the announcement widely and to nominate or recommend colleagues for the position.  

Applications were received throughout March and into April. The search committee consultant reviewed all nominations and applications. He used 12 criteria drawn from the posted job description to screen all applications, resulting in a preliminary list of candidates he forwarded to the search committee. The search committee met and came to a consensus on the candidates for interviews. 

The finalists appeared in person at the APSA building in Washington, DC. The interview consisted of meeting with the members of the search committee in a hybrid setting followed by meeting with members of the staff in a hybrid setting (Dr. Mealy did not participate in the interviews with the other finalists). The search committee consultant met with members of the APSA staff following each of the finalist interviews to allow staff members to discuss their impressions of the finalists. The search committee consultant also collected staff feedback via a secure online poll. 

The search committee then met virtually on May 9 to discuss each of the finalists and reached a clear consensus on their first choice. The committee unanimously recommended that Dr. Kimberly A. Mealy be offered the position of Executive Director. During the May Council Meeting, the search committee’s summary report was presented, and the Council enthusiastically approved the recommendation of the search committee. 

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