Shortly after School of Management Dean Jeffrey Garten announced his intention to step down last April, a search committee appointed by Yale President Richard Levin began meeting to evaluate candidates for Garten’s replacement.

Committee Chair and SOM professor Sharon Oster said this week that the seven-member committee is considering various possibilities and the school hopes to announce its choice in the spring.

“They’ve reviewed dozens of names and continue to have a significant number of names still under consideration,” Levin said.

While Levin and Oster did not comment on specifics, both outlined several leadership characteristics that would be important in a new dean.

“I’d like the new dean to build on the outstanding accomplishments of Dean Garten and continue to strengthen the faculty and student body, and to expand the scope of programs,” Levin said.

The SOM’s international involvement has also increased during Garten’s tenure. The school established both its International Center for Finance and International Institute for Corporate Governance in recent years.

Garten, who said that he is not involved in the search for his successor, has also participated in events such as last weekend’s World Economic Forum summit in Beijing, where the SOM co-sponsored a leadership panel.

It is important that the new dean be able to continue such global efforts, Oster said.

“I think Yale increasingly under President Levin has recognized its role in developing intellectual capital in the broader community,” she said. “I think we would like a dean who would contribute in that dimension as well.”

Oster said the ability to connect with alumni, an important source of networking opportunities for students and funding for the SOM, will also be critical in the committee’s choice.

While she said committee members began the selection process by formulating a list of potential candidates, researching them, and holding informal conversations with many of them, few of those under consideration have had interviews with the entire committee.

Both Levin and Oster said the committee is reviewing individuals from a variety of fields.

“We’re looking very widely both with candidates who come out of academic backgrounds and those with backgrounds in business and public service,” Levin said.

Eventually, Oster said the committee will generate a short list of potential deans from which Levin will make the final selection.

“I think we’ve got some great candidates and we’re very excited about the process,” Oster said.