Former Johns Hopkins University Vice Provost Joins Witt/Kieffer
September 18, 2017 – Philip Tang has joined executive search firm Witt/Kieffer as a consultant in its education practice. He brings to the job nearly 15 years of university administration experience at one of the nation’s leading universities.
Mr. Tang previously served as vice provost for academic services at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he led online and digital education initiatives, stewarded international programs and partnerships, and oversaw the school’s most recent decennial re-accreditation process. In that role, he managed nearly 20 searches for university executives, including the provost, vice provosts, and deans of each of the university’s nine schools. Mr. Tang served eight provosts and partnered with deans and other leaders across the Johns Hopkins University and Health System.
“We are thrilled to add Phil to our team of experts, particularly as we continue to see dramatic changes across higher education,” said Robin Mamlet, managing partner of Witt/Kieffer’s education practice. “He brings highly relevant and meaningful experience to his work along with a nuanced understanding of university administration and the critical importance of developing and recruiting top leaders.”
Witt/ Kieffer Named to Hunt Scanlon Top 50 Roster
Witt/ Kieffer was recognized as one of the leading academic search specialists on Hunt Scanlon Media’s “Top 50 Non-Profit/Higher Education Search Firms” list. It is the first-ever roundup of leading recruiters across both sectors. Check out these top 50 trailblazers.
| Top 50 |
Mr. Tang said he was excited by the possibilities of his new position. “I have spent much of the last decade focused on recruiting a diverse group of leaders who have had a transformational impact on an institution and the local, national, and global communities it serves,” he said. “My new role at Witt/Kieffer provides an incredible opportunity for me to partner with institutional leaders at colleges, universities, and academic health centers across the country to make an even greater impact together.”
Search Veterans
Witt/Kieffer has been a talent advisor to hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, physician groups and other healthcare enterprises for more than 45 years. With more than 100 search professionals nationwide, its consultants recruit CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CNOs, physician executives, and other leaders.
Witt/Kieffer’s education recruitment team identifies higher education and college preparatory school leaders who understand complex issues facing both public and private institutions: resource constraints, shifting national policy and increased scrutiny by boards, faculty, students and families. The education roles it recruits include presidents, provosts, deans, and officers for business and finance, advancement and development, student affairs, enrollment, IT and more.
Earlier this year, Witt/Kieffer appointed Concetta M. Stewart as a principal in its education practice. She has more than two decades of leadership experience across academic disciplines, with particular expertise in academic affairs, program development, and technology and communications. Most recently, she served as provost and interim president at Mercy College.
Education Sector
The education sector has been a hot area for executive recruiters. Today, some 150 recruiting specialist outfits are serving just the academia sector alone. To meet demand, search firms have been beefing up their staffs in the area. Here are a few from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:
Former Spencer Stuart recruiter Charles Falcone took over as the new leader of Russell Reynolds Associates’ U.S. education practice, which includes higher learning, academic medicine and digital education. Based in Chicago, Mr. Falcone specializes in executive search and succession planning for senior leadership across the field.
New York-based Search Inc. launched an education practice that will be led by two individuals whom the firm said will bring “fresh perspectives in the fast changing educational market.” The team of Elisa Calabrese and Wendy Weiler will be supported by researchers and recruiting professionals with more than 20 years of search experience.
Isaacson, Miller named Ericka Miller as a vice president and partner in its Washington, D.C. office. An expert in K-12 education and education policy, Dr. Miller most recently served as chief of membership, governance, and higher education at The College Board. In 2013, she was nominated by President Barack Obama to be the assistant secretary for postsecondary education in the U.S. Department of Education.
Wheless Partners appointed Dr. Robert Witt, University of Alabama System chancellor emeritus, as a senior advisor to the firm’s higher education search practice. “Given the numerous challenges higher education faces today, leadership for public colleges and universities has never been more imperative,” said Mike Wheless, CEO of Wheless Partners.
Saxton Bampfylde added Dr. Jennifer Barnes to its consulting team where she works across the firm’s global higher education and arts & culture search practices. Dr. Barnes brings has a broad range of experience from higher education, business and the arts. Most recently, she was pro-vice chancellor and deputy vice chancellor at the University of Cambridge.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Will Schatz, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
