PRESS RELEASES

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) selected by Kansas State University for Dean of Graduate School Search

(September 29, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Dean of Graduate School at Kansas State University.  Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search.

As a dynamic leader, the Dean will ensure the growth, development, quality, and continuation of graduate programs and graduate education at K-State, providing strategic leadership and vision to advance graduate education in directions consistent with the Next Gen K-State Strategic Plan.  K-State’s graduate enterprise serves about 4,200 students across 200 graduate degree and certificate programs, with programs offered across three campuses and more than 70 graduate programs available online.

The Dean will work closely with the president, provost, deans, vice provosts, vice president for research, and other senior leaders to formulate and implement a comprehensive and visionary strategy that engages prospective and current graduate students from Kansas, across the country, and internationally. The Dean will also work collaboratively with partners across the three physical campuses and within nine colleges to develop an integrated, analytically informed, and collaborative approach to graduate program enrollment. The position reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President, Jesse Perez Mendez, and serves as a member of the Academic Leadership Council and Deans Council.

Founded in 1863 as the nation’s first operational land-grant university, Kansas State University has grown into a comprehensive research university with more than 55,000 students, 1,300 faculty and 3,000 staff members. It spans three physical campuses: the main campus in Manhattan; K-State Salina, home to aviation and technology programs; and K-State Olathe, which serves the industry and workforce needs of Greater Kansas City.  K-State has nine colleges, Graduate School and K-State Online and offers more than 400 degrees and options, from bachelor’s to doctoral degrees. K-State Research and Extension also serves the citizenry with a presence in every county throughout Kansas and supports research in more than 20 K-State departments. K-State has an annual budget of more than $900 million.

Affordable Excellence 

Academic Career & Executive Search, a higher education focused search firm, specializes in affordable excellence, providing perfectly matched candidates to institutions quickly and accurately. Their methodologies, based on frequent touchpoints, pinpoint ideal candidates with speed and meticulous care resulting in highly successful placements.

They offer flexible service/pricing levels for all positions, ensuring affordability.

Contact Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, at 860-740-2600 or Jennifer@ACESrch.com, or visit https://acesrch.com/.