The first finalist in Eastern’s search for a new president, Livingston Alexander, voiced his commitment to improving relations between the university and the community and expanding Eastern’s network of supporters at an open session interview Monday.

Alexander has served as the vice president for academic affairs at Kean University in Union, N.J. since 1998.

The president of a university is a “visible leader on campus,” Alexander said, explaining that he believes he can contribute “strong, solid leadership.”

Alexander praised Eastern for its reputation, and said, if chosen, he w ould work toward gaining national prominence.

At Kean, Alexander said he lobbied in state and federal governments to get the school’s base budget increased by $800,000 to create a program in foreign policies studies and diplomacy that works with Model United Nations at Harvard University and the University of Chicago. He also worked with Schering-Plough to help develop a Master’s of science biotechnology program.

Several faculty members in attendance asked Alexander about his thoughts on distance learning. He stressed that before any effort to expand the the online course selection could be made, Eastern had to make sure instructors had the training and support they need and that students had the access to technology they need.

However, the presence of for-profit companies offering online classes creates a need to stay competitive. Alexander said he worries that if for-profit companies can meet Illinois higher education needs without state funds, the legislature will question why it should continue to fund institutions.

Shared governance is important to Alexander, who said he values the opinions of faculty, staff and students. At Kean, Alexander works with seven different unions.

Kean has an enrollment similar to Eastern, with about 12,000 graduate and undergraduate students, but only about 1,200 live on campus. The university offers 45 undergraduate and 26 graduate degree programs, and about 20 percent of undergrads major in education. Like Eastern, Kean has a “normal school” heritage but expanded into a comprehensive university.

Before coming to Kean, Alexander was vice president for academic affairs at Troy State University Montgomery in Alabama. The average student age is 29 at TSUM, which specializes in evening classes for adult students.

Alexander worked at another Ohio Valley Conference school, Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, for 15 years as a professor of psychology, vice president for academic affairs and director of graduate studies.