Before state officials can name a new president at Idaho State University, they’ll have to sift through a pile of resumes.

The application period has closed, and the State Board of Education has received 84 applications for the job.

“We have an exceptional list of candidates from which to choose,” said State Board member Cally Roach, who is co-chairing the Idaho State presidential search committee. “Idaho State University is on a roll, and I think that’s a major reason why so many outstanding candidates have responded.”

“I am very excited by the response we’ve received,” said State Board member and search committee co-chair Cindy Siddoway. “The search committee vetting process will be very thorough.”

Roach and Siddoway are both Idaho State alums.

For the co-chairs and their committee members — which represent students, staff, alumni and other campus stakeholders — the next step will be narrowing the field. By early December, the committee will publicly name a field of five finalists, who will come to Idaho in early December for interviews and site visits.

The State Board hopes to name a new president by the end of the year. Current President Kevin Satterlee is retiring on Dec. 31, after 5 ½ years at the helm.