The Presidential Search Committee for Park University has taken another step closer for the search for Park’s new university president.

A press release was issued Jan. 14 to announce that Park selected EFL Associates, Inc. to help lead the search for the university’s next president.

According to the press release, EFL Associates, Inc., which is an executive search firm based in Leawood, Kan., specializes in academic, business and non-profit executive searches.

“We believe their unique combination of skills will be particularly beneficial to Park as we engage in this search,” said Ann Mesle, J.D., chair of Park University’s Board of Trustees, in the press release. “We have had extensive discussions with EFL and are excited to be working with such a talented firm.”

Mesle will work closely with the 15 members of the search committee.

They include Julie Wilson, chair, trustee; Mark Foster, vice chair, trustee; Jeremy Barnes, Park University student; Eric Blair, Park University staff member; Lynn Bondurant, trustee and alumni; Michael Collins, trustee and alumni; Amber Daily, Park University faculty member; Katheen Dodd, trustee; Peter deSilva, trustee; Claude English, Park University staff member; Walter Kisthardt, Park University faculty member; Dan Sakata, trustee; Emily Sallee, Park University academic administrator; Jayme Uden, Park University staff member and David Warm, trustee.

Once the search is completed, Park University, which is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year, will have only its 16th president in the school’s history.

David Fowler is currently serving as interim president but has previously stated he has no intention of running for the permanent position of president.

Fowler replaced former president Dr. Michael Droge, who now currently serves as the university’s first chancellor.

According to the press release, a new president is expected to be hired by July 1, which is the start of the 2015-16 academic year.