After a nationwide search, the University is conducting interviews this month with candidates for the position of assistant dean of student life with support for diversity.The position, formerly titled, "assistant dean of Student Life and coordinator for diversity services," became vacant with the departure during the summer of the Rev. Nathaniel Mays, who held the title. Mays left Brandeis for a job at Lesley University in Cambridge.

Reginald Pryor, the director of Boston University's Office of Multicultural Affairs, was the first of the four candidates interviewed in front of students on Friday afternoon in the Shapiro Art Gallery.

According to Alana Hamlett '05, who serves on the search committee of 11 faculty, staff and students, the University hopes to make an offer this month to one of four candidates remaining in the search.

Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer and Lori Tenser, the assistant dean, chose search committee members. Hamlett said they were looking for, "People from all walks of life, but especially people who would be involved in diversity."

According to Assistant Dean of Student Life Alwina Bennett, the original list of 100 or more applicants was first reduced to 25. Ten of these candidates received phone interviews before the final four were chosen to visit Brandeis.

"I am looking for a person who is able to be an advocate and a person that I feel comfortable talking with about all issues, not only diversity. I am looking for a person who understands what diversity means and wants to help Brandeis achieve more diversity on campus," Hamlett said.

"I will bring a vision that supports current efforts and openness to ideas," Pryor said.

Pryor discussed his desire to bring a new level of energy to the diversity position. He also said he would bring experience, determination, an ability to listen and willingness to advocate for students.

Massell Quad Director Lyndsay Agans, a member of the search committee, said that the candidate chosen will dictate the way the office works. She said this is a dynamic position at a dynamic university.

"I think that the University needs not a peacekeeper, but a peacemaker. We need someone who will pick up and turn over issues to see what that means for Brandeis and how that offers to daily life," Agans said. "Brandeis needs to get back to its roots in diversity."

Though she is not on the search committee, Bennett said, "We are looking for someone who cares and is willing to be an advocate, someone who will keep their eye on what is happening here in terms of difference and diversity and hold the community accountable, and someone to make sure we all reach our potential as pluralistic and diverse community."

Bennett said that she expects the candidate to be an advocate for undergraduates and graduate students, but also to be a resource for staff and faculty and for the institution as a whole as it recruits students and faculty from diverse backgrounds.

"I think that it was great that students had the opportunity to hear from a candidate for a position that is so important to our day to day lives as students," said Josh Brandfon '05, who was in attendance at the interview.

"I wish that we would have been able to hear more of his own ideas, and things that he did at other schools," Brandfon said. "On the other hand, these were not things he was asked to talk about.