EOU Board completes presidential evaluation
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Friday, January 28th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Release provided by EOU) The Eastern Oregon University Board of Trustees completed its performance evaluation of EOU President Tom Insko, reflecting on his six years at the university’s helm.
Board Chair Richard Chaves shared a summary of the report, which incorporated feedback from the Association of Governance Board’s (AGB’s) Comprehensive Assessment Report and Insko’s Self-Evaluation report. The evaluation is not tied to compensation or bonuses.
“While the comprehensive report remains confidential, like all personnel files, I wanted to share the general content since the President’s role has such a wide impact across our university,” Chaves said.
EOU contracted with a third-party consultant through AGB, who designed and conducted a survey. They then prepared a comprehensive evaluation. Overall, AGB’s evaluation of Insko and his accomplishments was positive.
“Thomas A. Insko is an exceptionally able president who is ideally suited to leading Eastern Oregon University in a challenging and disrupted environment that will likely persist for the foreseeable future,” the AGB Report reads. “President Insko is a turnaround leader who exhibits the temperament and personal qualities most sought after in leaders in today’s competitive environment.”
Current and recent Trustees, eight administrators, five faculty members, community partners, and five others completed the AGB survey. AGB concluded that a majority of respondents hold the President in high regard and that President Insko is a highly functioning executive.
“Survey results demonstrated that President Insko is regarded as present and approachable, that a high majority of all individuals surveyed appreciated the way he has restored stability and injected purpose in the University’s work and are grateful for his efforts to be inclusive of members of the University community,” Chaves said.
The survey identified signature achievements and recommendations. Among achievements, respondents noted improved effectiveness and accountability, strengthened reputation with the state, growing enrollment of racially and ethnically diverse students, and closing the achievement gap between racially and ethnically diverse students and the general student population. Recommendations included a refresh of the long-term strategic plan, enhanced efforts regarding on-campus enrollment, and continued outreach with students and faculty.
“Over the past six years, I have had the opportunity on a regular basis to witness President Insko’s dedication to EOU,” Chaves said. “His commitment and passion, combined with his leadership skills and business savvy, have resulted in him playing a pivotal leadership role in the many successes EOU has experienced. He has worked diligently to foster and build effective relationships across the EOU campus community.”
Prepare for the world beyond college with Eastern Oregon University’s high-quality liberal arts and professional programs. Classes are available when and where you need them – at our main campus in La Grande, online almost anywhere in the world or onsite at our centers across the state. Educational, cultural and economic growth is important to our region, state and nation. That’s why we are committed to providing a personal, student-centered experience in all that we do. Visit eou.edu for more information.
