Haskell Indian Nations University is holding interviews with seven candidates for university president today and Thursday. Although the interviews are closed to the public, Haskell students and faculty can attend the 90-minute interview sessions conducted by the Bureau of Indian Education, a branch of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The university has been without a permanent leader since former Haskell President Chris Redman resigned in May. Finance chief Michael Lewis has been acting president as the federal government sought candidates for a permanent president.

Lewis told the Journal-World this summer that whoever is ultimately picked to replace Redman will have several challenges, including budget cuts stemming from the federal sequester, low student graduation rates and sanctions against Haskell’s athletic program from the U.S. Department of Education.