AGB Search Closing 2020 with Multiple Searches for Top Universities
December 1, 2020 – A number of colleges and universities across the country are opening searches that, if all goes to plan, will provide high-profile leaders to take them into a new era of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, increasingly the case, globalization – not to mention a pandemic.
One national recruiting outfit, Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search, has become a magnet for such assignments — recently launching a variety of top leadership searches for California Institute of Integral Studies, Misericordia University, the University of North Dakota, Saint Mary’s College of California and a host of others. For this search firm and a raft of others the remainder of 2020 looks to be busy, even while the academic sector is being hit from all angles as a result of the current crisis.
Among AGB Search’s current assignments:
California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), based in San Francisco, is looking for a new president. CIIS wants an accomplished, innovative and entrepreneurial leader who will serve as the chief executive officer of the institute, partnering with the board of trustees, faculty and staff to implement a progressive and evolving strategy, grounded in the institution’s mission and founding principles. The new president must have a distinguished record of accomplishments as a scholar and teacher, as well as a strong commitment to service-centered leadership to faculty, students and the greater community. Executive search consultants Richard Wueste and Ronald Carter are leading the assignment.
Misericordia University, based in Dallas, PA, is also seeking a new president. Misericordia wants an innovative leader who is an experienced and successful leader in higher education and who is grounded in liberal arts education and the charisms of the Sisters of Mercy. The successful candidate will lead a strongly mission-driven institution that is financially sound, that operates with budget surpluses, and that has recently seen a renovation and expansion of its facilities. Executive search consultants Robert Holyer and Melinda Leonardo are heading the assignment.
Related: AGB Search Enters Final Stretch of 2020 With Wide Range of Assignments Underway
The University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND, is seeking a provost and vice president for academic affairs. The provost reports directly to the president and is charged with the responsibilities of academic coordination and quality, fostering research and public service, and guiding all aspects of teaching and learning in support of student success. For minimum qualifications, candidates must have a terminal degree from an institution of higher education that is regionally accredited or with equivalent international recognition, and at least 10 years of progressively increasing administrative responsibility. Executive search consultants James McCormick and Janice Fitzgerald are leading the assignment.
Cultivating the Higher Education Leadership Pipeline
In this brand new episode of ‘Talent Talks,’ Hunt Scanlon Media host Rob Adams is joined by Rod McDavis, managing principal of AGB Search and Nancy Zimpher, Chancellor Emerita of the University at Albany. In this podcast, Dr. McDavis and Dr. Zimpher share recent trends in higher education leadership including diversity and how AGB’s Institute for Leadership & Governance is changing the game. Listen now!
Saint Mary’s College of California, located in Moraga, CA, wants its next president to model servant leadership reflective of the charisma of the Lasallian Brothers and the Catholic intellectual tradition and be able to enthusiastically communicate both within and outside of the college community. Financial acumen, a terminal degree, distinction as an institutional leader, a record of progressive responsibility and experience working successfully with budgets comparable in size and complexity to that of Saint Mary’s are also required. The search is being led by Monica Burton, principal, and search consultant Shannon McCambridge.
Serving Universities
AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership, conducts searches for college and university presidents, chancellors, provosts, vice presidents, deans, university system heads and CEOs of coordinating boards and related foundations. The firm was founded by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) in 2010.
Following a national search, AGB Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Melody Tankersley as the new provost for Kent State University in Ohio. An experienced leader, Dr. Tankersley has served Kent State in positions of increasing responsibility since 1993. Established in 1910, Kent State is a large, primarily residential, public research university in Kent, OH. It is one of the largest universities in the state with an enrollment of 39,367 students in the eight-campus system and 28,972 students at the main campus. AGB has previously assisted Kent State in searches for the directors of the Fashion School and the School of Music.
Related: AGB Search Selected by University of North Dakota to Find Provost
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
