The University of Iowa will host three finalists for the position of vice president for Strategic Communications over the next two weeks.

The three finalists will each host a public forum, addressing the topic of “Communicating the Value of the Public Teaching and Research University in the 21st Century.” Each forum will be held in 2520D University Capitol Center.

The first candidate will host a forum on July 11 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The second and third candidates will hold forums on July 15 and July 17, respectively.

The vice president reports directly to UI President Sally Mason and serves as the “chief communication officer responsible for conveying, internally and externally, the university’s mission, vision, and values,” according to the job description.

Mark Braun, Mason’s chief of staff, currently serves in the role on an interim basis; he will return to his original position once a candidate has been chosen.

The role was left vacant after former Vice President Tysen Kendig accepted a position as the University of Connecticut’s new vice president for communications. Kendig started at the UI in February 2010.