Associated Students, Inc. is nearing the selection of a new executive director, after a seven-month vacancy in the position, complicated by the departure of the student who chaired the search committee.

After former executive director Carol Ackerson left the position in September, ASI formed a search committee to find a replacement.

The committee fielded 257 resumes, and then narrowed those to 30 candidates.

“We finally chose four candidates and interviewed them,” said search committee chair Shaun Lumachi. “We will recommend two of the four candidates this week to the board.”

The board will choose one of the two finalists and forward their recommendation to President Donald Gerth, who accepts or rejects it.

Georgia Jarvis, one of the four candidates, believes the mission of ASI is about students.

“That is who I will work for ? the students,” Jarvis said. “I?m pretty passionate about education; I?ve always been.”

Among her previous experiences, Jarvis served as the CEO in a non-profit medical rehabilitation center in Austin, Texas. Jarvis currently resides in Fair Oaks.

Jeff Cooper-Smith, another candidate, said he has always loved working in an academic setting.

“I?ve worked with students of all ages, from kindergarten to college aged,” Smith said.

Smith?s past experiences include banking, working in a chemical agency and serving as an administrator at Costa Rica National University. He has also worked as an executive director to the U.S. Botanical Gardens in Washington, D.C.

Smith is currently the executive director of Coyote Point Museum.”I love working with students; they keep me honest and on my toes,” Smith said.

Jan Decker, the third candidate, works as a consultant for Transworld Systems. His experience includes serving as the executive director of the Sacramento Convention Bureau.

“I believe my work is for the students. I tend to use collaborative management style in my work,” Decker said.

ASI?s Interim Executive Director Pat Worley is also seeking the position.

Worley started working with ASI in 1981 as director of the children?s center, as well as working as a post graduate researcher for six years at the University of California, Davis, where she received her master?s degree in child development.

“I would like to play an important role in a college student?s life,” Worley said.

Worley has had one year of past experience as the ASI associate executive director.

Lumachi believes a qualified candidate holds the responsibility of being a resource and a leader to the students of Sac State.

“We are ultimately looking for someone who is dedicated,” Lumachi said. “The process is going well; we haven?t had any problems with references or anything.”

The candidates received a tour of the campus and met with ASI President Artemio Pimentel.

“We have evaluations out for everyone to fill out. We want to make sure we get adequate feedback from the board and others who met the candidates,” Lumachi said. “This hire will effect the next decade of the university or so.”

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