CHAPEL HILL - UNC-Chapel Hill's stellar academic reputation and the state's historic support of its universities has resulted in a deep, diverse pool of applicants interested in being its next leader, a consultant said today.

Recruiter Bill Funk, who is leading the search for UNC-CH's next chancellor, told members of a search committee that the pool of candidates is the best he has seen in the past five years for any similar post.

Funk, a Dallas-based headhunter specializing in higher education searches, is also running the search for the next University of California system chief.

Funk said the UNC-CH pool is diverse not only in terms if its racial and gender makeup, but in the backgrounds of the applicants. Some have traditional higher education resumes, while others are from major education associations and research think tanks. There are sitting presidents among the names, as well as provosts and deans, he said.

He did not say whether any non-traditional candidates -- corporate CEOs and the like -- are under consideration. Nor did he reveal any names or say how many applicants are still under consideration.

The university is seeking a successor for James Moeser, who has been chancellor since 2000. He steps down later this year.