Academic Career & Executive Search Seeking CFO for Cleary University
April 14, 2026 – Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been retained by Cleary University to lead in its search for a new CFO. Jennifer Muller, managing partner, is leading the assignment.
Cleary recently rolled out its new strategic plan, The Fourth Wave, and the plan presents an exciting opportunity for a CFO to lead financial transformation within a high-growth education model. As the institution scales its nationally expanding adult and online programs—already demonstrating strong revenue generation and retention—while reinvesting in a vibrant residential campus, the CFO will shape a dynamic financial architecture that balances growth, margin, and mission. This role offers the chance to build sophisticated segment-level economics, optimize pricing and discount strategies across diverse student populations, and deploy capital in ways that directly fuel enrollment growth, program innovation, and long-term financial sustainability.
Reporting directly to president Alan Drimmer and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the CFO will guide financial strategy, strengthen institutional planning and financial systems, and support the University’s continued innovation. The successful candidate will help build the financial foundation to support program expansion, national initiatives, and new strategic ventures, while ensuring alignment with Cleary’s mission of preparing career-ready graduates.
The ideal candidate will be a collaborative, hands-on financial leader who brings both strategic perspective and strong operational capability, and who thrives in a lean, entrepreneurial environment. The CFO will partner closely with senior leadership and share Cleary’s commitment to practical, career-focused education for working adults and diverse student populations.
Cleary University is a private institution founded in 1883 with a long-standing commitment to innovation, applied learning, and entrepreneurship in business education. Located in Howell, MI, the university offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs designed to prepare students for immediate and sustained success in a rapidly evolving workforce.
Based in West Hartford, CT, Academic Career & Executive Search focuses on executive search services, career planning, and candidate coaching. Specializing in challenging faculty to senior administrative positions, the firm offers six a la carte services spanning full search, candidate generation, interim, multi-hire, and contingency search. Candidate support services include webinars, career planning, and candidate coaching. Its team has served in virtually every capacity in higher education including president, vice president, provost, dean, chief human resources officer, and faculty members across all types and sizes of institutions.
Ms. Muller has more than 20 years of research and development experience in higher education and Fortune 500 companies. She has led over 70 higher education searches both domestically and internationally spanning presidents, vice presidents, associate chancellors, deans, directors, chairs, and faculty level positions. Ms. Muller is former vice chair of the American Council on Education (ACE) Executive Search Roundtable and serves as an advisor in the numerous ACE leadership development forums.
Cleveland Institute of Art Search
Academic Career & Executive Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Melanie Walker as vice president of business affairs and chief financial officer of the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA). “We’re thrilled to welcome Melanie as CIA’s next vice president of business affairs and CFO,” said president and CEO Kathryn Heidemann. “She brings exceptional financial acumen and a thoughtful, transparent approach to leadership. Melanie’s ability to balance strong fiscal stewardship with a deep respect for our mission and values will serve CIA well as we continue to navigate the increasing complexities of higher education and build a resilient, vibrant future for the college.”
Ms. Walker most recently served as associate dean of finance and administration at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law, where she served as the law school’s chief business officer on the executive leadership team and created fiscal policies and procedures to enhance internal controls.
The Cleveland Institute of Art is a nationally recognized college of art and design committed to nurturing creativity, innovation, and artistic excellence. Founded in 1882, CIA offers a rigorous studio-based education in 13 majors, including illustration, animation, industrial design, game design, painting, sculpture + expanded media, and more.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
