University of Minnesota administrators announced today that a committee will begin a national search for the next Vice Provost for Student Affairs and dean of students.

Jerry Rinehart, who has held the position since 2005 and has worked at the University for more than 35 years, announced in September that he plans to step down April 1.

The University hopes to appoint Rinehart’s successor by mid-spring.

The search committee will be chaired by Allen Levine, dean of the University’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. Other committee members include current and former students, faculty members, staff, and administrators.

Levine said the committee won’t have any specific details about the search process until meetings begin this week.

At the committee’s first meeting Wednesday morning, Karen Hanson, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, will formally charge its members with the task of finding Rinehart’s replacement.

Drew Coveyou, a journalism sophomore who is on the search committee, said he’s looking forward to getting to know the other committee members and seeing who applies for the position.

“I’m sure there are going to be lots of very talented people, very qualified people applying for the position,” he said. “It’s going to be great to have some impact on that decision process.”

In an open letter to the University community, Hanson said the ideal candidate is “a visionary, strategic and inclusive leader who possesses personal and professional integrity, the highest ethical standards and a strong commitment to excellence.”

Levine said he’s looking forward to the search and wants to hear from all of the committee’s constituents before deciding what type of candidate will be best.

“It’s always hard to replace anybody,” he said. “We’ll look for the best candidate to serve our students.”