So far 19 people have applied to be the next chancellor for the University System of Georgia, a search committee member said Wednesday.

The committee will review applications this week and will continue to receive and vet candidates up until first round interviews are held in mid-March, said Susan Herbst, a committee member and the system's chief academic officer.

Herbst described the pool as "strong with several superb candidates." Their backgrounds include education, business and government, she said.

The 21-member search committee will interview between four to six candidates in March and recommend up to three finalists for the State Board of Regents to interview in mid-April, Herbst said.

The regents previously said they would select a new chancellor by early May.

Chancellor Erroll Davis, who started in 2006, will retire when his contract expires at the end of June.