Strategic planning and faculty input are key factors in the success of a college, Joseph Steinmetz, candidate for dean of Kansas University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, told faculty on Thursday.

“The college doesn’t belong to the dean,” Steinmetz said. “It really belongs to the faculty.”

Steinmetz is the second candidate for the post to visit KU’s campus. Robert Frank, interim university dean of the Graduate School at the University of Cincinnati, visited last week.

Steinmetz has moved up the ranks at Indiana University, where he currently serves as executive associate dean of arts and sciences.

He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Central Michigan University, a doctoral degree in physiological psychology at Ohio University, and he was a post-doctorate fellow and research associate at Stanford University.

Steinmetz has been at Indiana since 1987. He said he accepted a departmental chair position in 1995, and developed a fondness for helping others.

“In my career now, that’s an important part of what I do,” he said. “I want to help move people forward.”

Steinmetz said he pressed for strategic planning at both the university and the department level. He described his administrative style, saying he seeks input and has the ability to admit mistakes. He said he kept an open door and was honest, straightforward and deliberative, but decisive.

The next candidate’s forum will be from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday in the Big 12 Room. The fourth candidate will be available from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Big 12 Room.