Academic Search at Closing Stages of President Search for Valparaiso University
September 24, 2025 – Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search was recently selected by Valparaiso University to lead in its search for a new president. President José Padilla will retire on December 31, 2025, at the conclusion of his contract. Senior consultants Pamela Balch, Mike Maxey, and search manager Penny Gibbons are leading the assignment.
“Over the past month, the presidential search committee has completed its review of candidates and, in partnership with our search firm, identified those best suited to lead Valparaiso University,” the school said in a statement last week. “Candidate interviews have concluded, and second-round, in-person interviews are scheduled for the last week of September. Finalist interviews will follow in mid-October, with the selection of our next president anticipated by the end of the month.”
The presidential search committee, chaired by Jon A. Steinbrecher, commissioner of the Mid-American Conference and chair-elect of the Valparaiso University board of directors, includes representatives from the board, faculty, staff, and alumni. Julie Winkler, chief commercial officer at CME Group, serves as vice chair. The committee is charged with conducting a thorough, inclusive, and transparent process to identify a president who will uphold the school’s mission and values.
Valparaiso University is a private university in Valparaiso, IN. It is an independent Lutheran university with five colleges. The school enrolls nearly 2,300 students and has a 350-acre campus. The university is known for its Lutheran Christian heritage and has one of the largest chapels on a U.S. college campus. It accepts 94 percent of applicants for enrollment.
For over three decades, Academic Search has been a leader in designing and implementing search processes for leaders of colleges and universities across the country. The firm has completed hundreds of executive searches for higher education institutions and related organizations, for roles ranging from presidents to provosts to deans. Academic Search has a formal relationship to a premier leadership development program. As the subsidiary of the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI), the firm provides substantial financial support to a number of leadership identification, development, and support programs across all sectors of public and private higher education. The firm is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
When Dr. Balch joined Academic Search in 2017, she quickly proved to be an eager senior consultant with a sharp eye for recognizing executive talent. She has more than 30 years of experience in higher education, including 13 years as president of two institutions.
Mr. Maxey, who is also a senior executive coach, served as president of Roanoke College for 15 years. Prior to his presidential service, he worked at Roanoke for 22 years in various areas including marketing, recruiting, alumni relations, strategic planning, and fundraising. He approaches his coaching from the perspective of helping presidents achieve their goals and those of their institutions by offering challenges and support.
Related: Academic Search Assists the University of Nebraska in Recruiting New President
Since joining Academic Search in 2017, Ms. Gibbons has served in the roles of associate consultant and consultant, conducting more than 100 searches for public and private institutions across the country, including searches for president/chancellor, provost, academic deans and department chairs, general counsel, and senior-level positions in enrollment management, career services, advancement, and student affairs.
University of Alabama Search
Academic Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Peter J. Mohler as the 30th president of the University of Alabama. Stuart R. Bell, the 29th president of the University of Alabama, stepped down from the presidency mid-summer, completing a decade in the school’s top leadership role. Senior consultant Ann Die Hasselmo, consultant Christopher Butler, and associate consultant Kate Cusimano led the assignment. Academic Search has partnered with UA on several successful searches, including the hiring of former president Robert E. Witt and the hiring of current president Dr. Bell.
“Dr. Mohler is uniquely equipped to build upon the University of Alabama’s strong foundation and lead this institution into an even brighter future,” said UA System chancellor Sid J. Trant, who recommended Mohler’s appointment to the Board. “He is a champion for the power of public higher education to transform lives and communities through teaching, research and service, and he will advance our flagship mission through his bold, student-centered and visionary leadership.”
A distinguished leader with over 20 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Mohler previously served as executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge at Ohio State University and chief scientific officer of OSU’s Wexner Medical Center.
Related: Academic Search Recruits President for Norwich University
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
