PRESS RELEASES

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) selected by University of Central Missouri for Associate Vice President of Human Resources Search

(February 20, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Associate Vice President of Human Resources at the University of Central Missouri (UCM). Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search.

Reporting to the CFO and serving as a member of the President’s Strategic Leadership Team, the AVP HR will play a vital role in advancing a people-centered, high-performing workforce that supports UCM’s mission, operational excellence, and long-term institutional goals. This leadership appointment comes as UCM continues to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance employee engagement, and align human resources strategy with university-wide priorities. The AVP HR will lead a talented and motivated human resources division and oversee day-to-day operations while serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on matters of talent strategy, compliance, organizational effectiveness, and workforce development. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced HR executive to step into a highly collaborative, forward-moving environment and make an immediate and lasting impact.

Founded in 1871, the University of Central Missouri (UCM) is a comprehensive, public university committed to academic excellence, affordability, and student success. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, UCM offers more than 150 academic programs and maintains a strong reputation for high-quality, accessible education. The university continues to climb in national rankings, recently named among the Top 20 Public Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report (2026). With two thriving campuses in Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit, UCM serves a diverse student body of more than 13,000 students and fosters a culture of engagement, innovation, and service that prepares graduates to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

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/.