IU administrator candidate for top university post

Charlie Nelms, IU's vice president for student development and diversity, has emerged as a frontrunner for the presidency of Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fla. \nThe Tallahassee Democrat reported that, according to Carolyn Collins, Florida A&M National Alumni Association president, Nelms is the only candidate that appears to meet the expectations of the association and the search committee. Although all of the frontrunners have doctoral degrees, only Nelms has been a campus Chief Executive Officer.\nPrior to his arrival at IU, Nelms was the chancellor for the Flint branch of the University of Michigan. At this campus he was able to reverse a decline in student enrollment and begin new programs that increased enrollment and secured more gifts and donations for the university. \nThe news about Nelms possible opportunity does not come as a surprise to those who knew him at the Flint campus. Members of the administration office released a statement saying that if Nelms "receives and accepts the appointment to the presidency of Florida A&M, it will be yet another advancement in his already incredible career.\nThe process for nomination to the presidency began over a year ago, but has culminated with Nelms being named one of the five final candidates after a series of interviews with students and faculty on the Florida A& M campus. \nAt this point, Nelms is unwilling to disclose any information about the process or the candidacy itself.\n"I am pleased to be among the candidates considered," Nelms said. "And I look forward to meeting with the [Florida A&Ms] board of trustees."\nNelms explained the recruitment process as ongoing and also noted that he is very pleased with his work at IU as well. \nNelms has been involved with all of the branches of the IU campus system, keeping his focus on improvement for all students and the increase of minority leadership on the IU campuses. \nNelms has also been a key player in the Universitys hiring of more minority administrators, including mens basketball coach Mike Davis. He has also fostered ethnic acceptance and equality on all of the IU campuses. When the IDS published David Horowitzs column criticizing reparations for slavery last year, Nelms wrote a letter blasting the piece.\nAs Florida A&M continues its selection process, Nelms continues his work at IU waiting for further word from the A&M trustees.\nIn the most recent step of the recruitment process, Nelms and the other candidates participated in various question and answer sessions with people on the Florida A&M campus that ranged from students to alumni and retired faculty members. They also participated in a two-hour forum with representatives of the search advisory committee.\nAndre Hammel, the student body president at Florida A&M, released a statement that the student government is looking for the candidate that will best serve the student and the universitys needs. Hammel was not available for any further comment.\nThe other confirmed finalists for the candidacy are Fred Gainous, chancellor of the Alabama College System; Melvin Stith, dean of the College of Business at Florida State University; David Wilson, associate provost and vice president for university outreach at Auburn University; and Anna Vaughn Cooke, Florida A&M dean of graduate studies and research.\nThe Florida A&M National Alumni Association will give one of the finalist its support before the full board of trustees interviews the candidates on May 16. The following day, trustees will choose Florida A&Ms new president.