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URBANA — The professor who heads up one of the University of Illinois’ top-ranked departments has been chosen to chair the  committee that helps choose the campus’ next chancellor.

In a mass mail to colleagues this week, UI System President Tim Killeen announced that Jennifer Bernhard — the Donald Biggar Willett Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering — had been selected to lead what’s formally known as the Search Committee to Advise the President on the Selection of the Next Chancellor.

“Professor Bernhard’s extensive leadership and expertise will guide the important work of the committee,” Killeen wrote before rattling off some of the highlights on her CV — Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers fellow, roles as associate dean for research and director of the Applied Research Institute, “an exceptional record of excellence in research, teaching and service at the department, college and campus levels” since joining the UI faculty in 1999.

Also on the committee that will assist university leaders in deciding who succeeds the Big Ten’s longest-tenured chancellor, Robert Jones, who announced in November that this, his ninth academic year running the campus, will be his last:

— Kathy Adams, Illinois Human Resources

— Rummana Alam, College of Law

— Alex Belanger, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences undergraduate student

— Nerissa Brown, Gies College of Business

— Antoinette Burton, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

— Felecia Commodore, College of Education

— Charlotte Davidson, Native American House

— McKenzy Heavlin, Grainger College of Engineering graduate student

— Megan Mahoney, School of Social Work graduate student

— Kristin McMurray, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Operations

— Chrystalla Mouza, College of Education

— Cynthia Oliver, College of Fine & Applied Arts

— Jami Painter, System Human Resource Services, staff

— Gilberto Rosas, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

— Taher Saif, Grainger College of Engineering