By Dan Knickelbein

Since 2005, when the Institute for Global Citizenship (IGC) was created, Dr. Ahmed Samatar has served as the organization’s Dean. But after five years at the helm, Samatar will be stepping down, and a new dean will be selected later this semester.Four finalists have been announced for the position, and all finalists have scheduled time to meet with students to discuss the future of the IGC. “We would like as much input as possible as we think about the best candidate,” said Provost and Dean of Faculty Kathleen Murray. “The Search Committee has benefited from the active participation of two student members. We would like even more students to be engaged in the process at this point.”

The four finalists for the position are Bill Moseley, Daniel Klooster, Eric Popkin and Dimeji Togunde. Moseley is the only candidate currently working at Macalester, as he has been a Geography professor since 2002. Popkin and Togunde are Sociology Professors at Colorado College and Albion College, respectively. Klooster is currently a Geography professor at Florida State University.

Murray mentioned several tasks the next IGC dean will be working on. “The Dean will work to extend the reach and impact of the IGC across the College’s academic program,” Murray said. “Responsibilities of the position include strategic planning for the Institute and guiding the interactions of its constituent parts: the International Center, the Civic Engagement Center, and the Internship Program.