A search advisory committee has been appointed by President Mary Sue Coleman to identify finalists for the position of vice president for communications.

Christopher Kendall, dean of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance and Paul Boylan Collegiate Professor of Music, will chair the committee that has been charged with conducting a national search to identify candidates for the position.

Lisa Rudgers, who has held this position since 2000, stepped down Feb. 1 to establish her own communications consulting practice. She will continue to be involved in a consulting role with various communication efforts. Julie Peterson, associate vice president for media relations and public affairs, will serve as interim vice president.

Committee members are:

• Kenneth Adams, professor of psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Medical School and professor of psychology, LSA

• Nicholas Delbanco, Robert Frost Distinguished University Professor of English Language and Literature, and professor of English, Department of English Language and Literature, LSA

• Charles Eisendrath, associate professor of communication studies, LSA and director, Knight Wallace Fellows, Rackham Graduate School

• Michael Harrison, chief public relations and marketing officer, U-M Health System

• Byron Roberts, director of media and marketing, College of Engineering

• Lisa Swanson, Executive Director of Donor Events, Communications and Stewardship, University Development

• Cynthia Wilbanks, vice president for Government Relations

The committee welcomes suggestions or nominations of candidates by e-mail to limajeff@umich.edu or in writing to Lisa Jeffreys, Office of the President, 2048 Fleming Administration Building, Campus Zip 1340. Information also can be faxed to 936-3529.