"We had very strong, very qualified internal candidates from different colleges representing different majors," said Professor of Political Science DeLysa Burnier, who chaired the 11-member search committee. "(The finalists) are diverse and have strong records of performance with the Honors Tutorial College. They're very familiar with the college, the HTC students and the HTC mission."

McMills is an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry and director of general chemistry at Ohio University. She also serves HTC as director of studies for chemistry. During her 19-year career at Ohio University, McMills has served the university in many capacities, contributing to numerous academic publications and securing nearly $50,000 in grants. In 2008, she was awarded the Distinguished Service Award for her work with the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards. McMills received her doctorate in physical chemistry from Michigan State University.

Webster is an associate professor of English and serves as Director of Study of the English Honors Tutorial Program and Coordinator of the English Departmental Honors Program. During his 10 years at Ohio University, Webster has served on the Quarters to Semesters Transition Team, the University Curriculum Council, and Faculty Senate, among other positions. Webster received his doctorate in English from the University of Tennessee.

As a part of the interview process, McMills and Webster will each take part in two open forums – one for students and one for the general public. Interview schedules and each of the candidates' curricula vitae will be posted on the search Web site before the week of May 18.

The search for dean of the college began earlier this year to replace former HTC Dean Ann Fidler. After six years with HTC, Fidler was named interim associate provost for strategic initiatives in 2008. Professor of Political Science Harold Molineu currently serves as interim dean of the college.

The search committee is composed of students, faculty members, HTC administrators and one dean. Burnier said she is confident in the committee's final selections, describing the process as "very harmonious" with "a great deal of consensus all the way through."

Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Martin Tuck said he is hopeful that the position will be filled by month's end. The preferred starting date for the selected candidate is July 1, 2009.

Responsibilities for the dean of the Honors Tutorial College include developing and implementing college policies, determining application procedures, overseeing admissions decisions, monitoring student progress and developing and reviewing tutorial programs and initiatives. In addition, the dean teaches the Honors Tutorial College freshman seminar.

According to the HTC dean search Web site, a successful candidate will be an able communicator, a skilled diplomat, a visionary leader and an effective fundraiser. He or she must also exhibit a commitment to contributing to Ohio University's standing as a diverse, inclusive and welcoming institution. Experience with the college was a determining factor in the committee's selections, according to Tuck.

Ohio University's Honors Tutorial College is the only degree-granting college in the United States that incorporates all the essential features of the traditional tutorial system developed at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Currently, there are approximately 230 students enrolled in the college.