Capedeville recommends that Jimeno be appointed provost

Montana State University-Northern Chancellor Alex Capdeville is recommending that the Board of Regents appoint interim provost Cheri Jimeno as permanent provost at the university, rather than going through a search to fill the position.

"She complements me well," Capdeville said. "She's a good fit, she wanted the job and she brings a nice demeanor with her. She works with people well.'

Jimeno took the interim position on Oct. 3 after Provost Roger Barber took an interim position as deputy commissioner of academic and student affairs in the state Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education on Sept. 8.

Jimeno could not be reached for comment this morning.

Barber said this morning he has accepted the permanent position of deputy commissioner, pending approval by the regents in March.

He added that Jimeno is a good selection and has been doing a good job.

Capdeville will recommend Jimeno as provost at the regents' March meeting. He said he is optimistic that she will be approved for the position.

He said he held meetings at Northern's Havre and Great Falls campuses and at its Lewistown campus via videoconferencing about how to fill the provost position. He also used the campus e-mail system to solicit comments.

"The feedback that I received was very strong for not proceeding with a national search and incurring its costs when we had a qualified applicant here," Capdeville said.

He said Jimeno, who was dean of education, business and technology at the University of Montana-Western in Dillon before coming to Northern, has an excellent understanding of the Montana University System and working at the smaller campuses in the system.

Jimeno, originally from Corvallis, earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1972 from the University of Montana in Missoula, a master's in business education in 1985 from Montana State University in Bozeman, and a doctorate in education and business information systems in 2000 from Utah State University in Logan, Utah.

She chaired the business and technology departments during her 18 years at Western, as well as serving as faculty athletic representative, Title IX coordinator and assistant associate professor of business.

Jimeno has made presentations about cultural diversity at state and national conferences.