I applied from out of state, and it quickly became clear that they strongly preferred a local candidate familiar with the area. Although the role was posted for the College of Engineering, the interview questions went beyond standard qualifications. They focused heavily on hyper-specific topics: local city connections, community engagement plans, and the college’s national and international reputation. They also asked detailed questions about my long-term vision for the program. I had done my homework, but it was obvious from their line of questioning that they were looking for someone who could hit the ground running with existing local ties. While I understand the importance of cultural and institutional fit, I left the interview feeling that an internal or in-state candidate likely had a clear edge.