Academic Career & Executive Search Seeking HR Leader for the University of Central Missouri
March 19, 2026 – Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been retained to recruit the next associate vice president of human resources at the University of Central Missouri (UCM). Jennifer Muller, managing partner, is leading the assignment. Reporting to the CFO and serving as a member of the president’s strategic leadership team, the AVP of 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 of 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 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.
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.”
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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
