Beth Aracena wants to be a part of the vibrancy of Point Park’s campus and its private, urban dynamic.

The school’s focus on providing students with a broad education draws John Murray to campus. 

The passion of Point Park’s faculty and students makes Lisa Gentile want the job.  

These are just a few of the many reasons these three candidates are vying to replace Karen McIntyre as provost when she leaves the position next year. All three of the candidates were on campus last week meeting with faculty and staff to present their credentials. 

According to an email sent from President Hennigan’s office, the candidates will fully replace McIntyre after getting a better feel for the position and school. 

“…we are searching for a candidate to become vice provost for one year under Karen’s mentorship,” the email said. “The candidate will rise to the level of provost when Karen retires a year later.”

McIntyre has been Point Park’s provost since 2010 when she was promoted from vice provost. She has been with the University since 2005 when she served as a chairperson of the Education department. 

Aracena has been the Dean for College of Arts and Sciences at Alvernia University since 2012. She is one of the three candidates in line to replace McIntyre. As dean at Alvernia, Aracena helped complete a general education reform that had been in the works for 10 years.  

Aracena said she would focus on listening to students and faculty if she wins the job. She stressed that point saying she continues to teach in order to stay close to the student experience. 

“Point Park is a university on the move,” Aracena said. “I have an interest in reaching out to community partners to help grow the University.” 

Another candidate, Murray, comes from slightly further away. Murray is dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana State University. Indiana State is a larger school than Point Park with a little over 13,000 students enrolled, the largest department being the College of Arts and Sciences. The University’s smaller sized is appealing to Murray because “it puts students at the center of their own education.” 

 “There are just so many neat things happening, and that’s something that really draws me,” Murray said. 

Gentile, the final of the three finalists, is currently dean of Arts and Sciences at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah. She echoed the statements made by Aracena and Murray on what stands out about Point Park as she appreciates how the University integrates itself with the city. 

Gentile said she wants to help with “access, affordability and accountability” at Point Park. 

“I see Point Park as a university that is making, and will continue making, a difference,” Gentile said.

The email from the president’s office included a survey for faculty to express their feedback after meeting each candidate to the search committee. 

Administration has not announced when the decision will be made but each of the three finalists has made it clear that they intend to listen to students and faculty.

“I want to be a part of making Point Park more successful than it already is,” Murray said.