After six years of service with Associated Students Inc., Executive Director Carol Ackerson resigned July 22 to pursue a doctorate and a career in education.

Ackerson vacated the important executive director position, which she held since 1994. The job includes helping to run daily operations and handle ASI?s multi-million dollar budget.

“There are times when it?s right to move on, and this is one of them,” Ackerson said.

A search committee, chosen by ASI President Artemio Pimentel, will have the task of finding a permanent executive director. The committee will consist of 5 students, a faculty member, an administrator and an ASI staff member.

“It?s going to be an awesome opportunity for us to do something with that position,” Pimentel said. “I think the whole university needs to come together and look at this post.”

The committee will post advertisements for the position in newspapers and websites. It is seeking out candidates that have experience in non-profit organizations and with college age students, said committee Chair Shara Perkins.

“I think the past election brought vitality and a vision that affects a wider variety of students of this campus,” Perkins said. “We?re looking for a director that will share that vision.”ASI is hoping to have the position filled by February 2002.

“We already have a lot of applications and inquiries,” Perkins said

Ackerson cited finishing her dissertation for her doctorate program and a tentative career change that will take her to southern California as the main reasons for her leaving, saying in a statement that she could not devote full attention to both ASI and her future plans.

“I assume the future will hold something in education,” Ackerson said.

She said she plans to work in Los Angeles with an achievement council that will study new ways to narrow the academic achievement gap in the kindergarten through 12th grade education system.

“Until our school system can provide good education for all its students, it is not functioning properly,” Ackerson said.

The role of executive director is to make sure that student voices can be heard, Ackerson said. Student involvement has increased during her tenure, with students taking more important roles within the organization, she said.

“This is an incredibly special organization,” Ackerson remarked.

She credits the position of executive director for providing the student-comprised ASI boards with a history of past boards, helping them progress. The position has also added consistency to the organization by adding a permanent voice, she added.

Ackerson sees a stable future with the organization, which will see Assistant Director Pat Worely assume the interim executive director spot.

“One of the gifts that one receives working in this position is that I?m given an understanding that this organization is in good hands,” Ackerson said.