Karen A. Holbrook, who left her provost position at the University in 2002 to serve as president of Ohio State University, is a candidate to become the next president of Florida Gulf Coast University.

Holbrook affected the direction of academics during her four year tenure. Now she could be directing changes at another university in the Southeast.

While at the University, Holbrook served as senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.

She left her mark on several departments by supporting initiatives such as the Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute and the New Media Institute.

“Her involvement was key to our development (at the Institute),” Harry Dailey , director of Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute, said. “She had a vision for what she wanted to accomplish. She was very hands-on.”

New Media Institute Director Scott Shamp said Holbrook’s ability to bring together people with similar ideas and attitudes was even more important than her providing the funding.

“Some universities are led by people looking over their shoulder,” Shamp said. “But she was never like that. Her attitude made all the difference in the world.”

Holbrook applied for the presidential vacancy after retiring from Ohio State in June and joins nearly 60 other candidates competing for the job. The new president will be selected by the Board of Trustees Saturday.