After a national search that lasted several months and uncertainty regarding the details of the position, the Multicultural Center found their third offer to one candidate was a charm in securing a director.
Director of Student Activities Greg Lobisser had initially offered the position to first-choice candidate Erica Fuller-Shindler in May, but she turned it down for personal reasons. The second choice for the job also turned down the position, and the search committee regrouped to decide what course of action to pursue.
After her circumstances changed, Fuller-Shindler notified the committee last week that she was still interested and available for the position.
“Things were better all around for this opportunity,” Fuller-Shindler said.
At an informal meeting July 12, remnants of the original hiring committee and representatives from various facets of the University decided to offer the position as a one-year interim position.
Lobisser then offered the position on Friday to Fuller-Shindler, who accepted that day and made plans to start within the week.
“It’s been six years since I’ve lived on the West Coast,” said Fuller-Shindler, an Oregon native who spent her first two college years at the University. “It was about time for me to come back over this way.”
Both Lobisser and ASUO President Jay Breslow, who has been instrumental in the search process, expressed relief and confidence over the progress.
“It’s a real advantage to the MCC to have Erica come on board so quickly,” Lobisser said. “She’ll have time to become established here before welcoming back the students.”
Fuller-Shindler graduated in 1993 from Mills College in California with a degree in writing and video productions and a minor in ethnic studies. After earning her master’s degree in Africana studies from Cornell University in 1995, she began working toward her doctorate in anthropology at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
Fuller-Shindler focused her research interests on women of culture, development of non-governmental agencies and non-profit corporations, and formulating initiatives that aid women and children, particularly in residential communities and program housing.
And for the MCC, Fuller-Shindler’s background in working with students in a multicultural setting was part of the committee’s preference for her filling the spot. Before pursuing her doctorate, she completed the core curriculum at Florida as a graduate student in counselor education, aimed at school counseling.
Employed by the UF Dean of Students Office for the past three years as program coordinator, Fuller-Shindler initiated and directed various programs including leadership and diversity conferences and multicultural celebrations. Fuller-Shindler also served at Florida as the multicultural adviser for the Asian Student Union and the Native American Student Association for the last three years.
Fuller-Shindler will be filling the position of MCC director from July 20, 2000, through June 30, 2001.
“The position has been offered and accepted as interim director,” Lobisser said. “The position does not automatically roll over to a permanent position. We will be doing a search for a permanent director, and Erica is fully eligible to apply at that time.”
A stint as an interim director is another area familiar to Fuller-Shindler, who worked as the interim director for the Institute of Black Culture at UF for three terms in 1997-1998 before serving as the interim director of the Institute of Hispanic/Latino Cultures during a summer term.
With a wide variety and depth of experience to draw from, she says she is eager to begin.
“I’m excited about the level of activism here on campus and looking forward to further develop it.”