By: Jenna Thomas
Cleveland State University has garnered media attention in recent weeks after it hired Douglas Dykes, a former Cuyahoga County official who recently pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges after a corruption investigation, to a top human resources position. CSU’s former chief Human Resources officer and former Vice President, Jesse Drucker, was tapped to be Dykes replacement at the County.
The university began accepting applications to this newly-created HR position a year ago in February of 2020. Less than two weeks and 37 applicants later, the application closed. Applicants included a human resources director from Ohio State University, the human resources director for Michigan Technological University, the vice president of human resources and chief human resources officer for the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, among other highly qualified professionals.
None of them were selected. Instead, in December of 2020, university officials invited Dykes to apply for the position and then hired him a week later.
President Harlan Sands addressed concerns to faculty via an email in early 2021, stating that the other applicants did not have sufficient skills and experience for the job.
“When the deadline for applications closed earlier last year, our HR staff did not feel they had yet found the person with the right skills and experience to fill this critical role at our university.”
Although it is unclear when Dykes will be starting, it is known that he will continue to cooperate in the ongoing investigation of the County Executive Budish administration.