The final candidate for the new position of associate vice president for academic affairs for technology will visit Eastern today for on-campus interviews.

The candidate, John D. Gaboury, is currently the associate vice president for Information Technology at William Paterson University in Wayne, N.J., where he is also tenured as professor of the Library.

James Tidwell, search committee chair and journalism professor, said the committee is seeking an experienced candidate, but would also like to receive some input from Eastern’s faculty.

Interested faculty members can attend an open interview session today at 3 p.m. in Buzzard Building Room 2504. Tidwell said he encourages as many faculty members as possible to attend.

“The committee is looking for someone with depth and experience in technology,” he said. “We (the committee) need to get the input of the faculty and have more people give feedback to make us (the committee) feel more comfortable in making our recommendation.”

Gaboury has served at his current position since 1998 and was assistant vice president for Information Technology at William Paterson from 1996 until he received the associate vice president position. He currently serves on the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education Technology Advisory Committee and Policy Sub-committee. In the past, Gaboury also served as a Consultant-Evaluator for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Tidwell said the associate vice president for academic affairs for technology position is one that will play an integral role in the future of technology application at Eastern.

“The person appointed will have to lead the whole university’s technology initiative for the next 10-12 years,” Tidwell said.

Gaboury first held the position of director of learning resources at North Shore Community College in Beverly, Mass. from 1977-83 and then at Clayton State College in Morrow, Ga. from 1983-85. Gaboury then served as university librarian at Northeastern Illinois University and then at Radford University in Virginia, where he also was a professor.

Gaboury also held the position of dean of libraries at Mississippi State University from 1991 until 1996.

Gaboury will meet with members of the search committee, the Center for Academic Technology Support and Information Technology Support staffs, and various deans, chairs and directors of the university.