Daniel Innis, candidate for the open dean of the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences position, was asked Thursday how his experience would transfer to Eastern.

Innis, currently the associate dean of the College of Business at Ohio University, was the first of four candidates to visit Eastern for a three-day sequence of interviews with various members of the campus community. His stay on campus concluded with an open meeting for faculty and other interested parties followed by an exit interview with the search committee.

Innis has held his current job since 1999 and said his next position will be permanent.

“I don’t jump around from place to place to place,” he said.

The Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences includes the School of Technology, departments of family and consumer sciences, and military sciences in addition to the School of Business. Innis admitted he did not have experiences in those other areas, as well as the teacher preparation aspect.

As associate dean of the College of Business at Ohio University, located in Athens, Ohio, Innis said his duties vary each day. The dean of that college works with external relations, while “I do everything internal,” he said.

Internal duties include the budget, work related to academics, assessment and working with the staff.

“It’s a lot to do,” he said. “But we have a great staff.”

Part of the reason Innis is seeking a new position is his challenges at Ohio University are becoming easier everyday, he said.

“I’m not leaving because I need to leave.”

Innis said he almost didn’t apply for the position at Eastern. He did not know much about the school, but upon further research he was prompted to look at the position more closely.

He said he wasn’t sure there would be a sufficient challenge here, but was “pleasantly surprised,” when he arrived on campus.

Among the challenges he observed would be examining external relationships, such as getting more recruiters on campus.

Toward the end of the session, Innis was asked what his feelings were about the campus, now that he had been here for two days.

“It would be a terrific challenge,” he responded.

A question in his mind about taking a position here is the presidential search along with the turnover of deans. While he called the turnover rate both an opportunity and a concern, Innis said it would not necessarily deter him from working here.