AGB Search Seeks Leaders for a Range of Key Higher Education Slots
March 15, 2021 – As the pandemic slowly begins to subside in the U.S. and organizations collectively begin to get back on their feet, colleges and universities across the country are opening searches that, if all goes to plan, will allow high-profile leaders to take them into a new era of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, increasingly the case, globalization – not to mention a pandemic and post-pandemic era. 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 the University of South Dakota, Nevada State College, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Cleveland State University and Texas Southern University, among others. For this search firm and a raft of others the remainder of 2021 looks to be busy, even while the academic sector is being hit from all angles as a result of the current crisis.
Let’s take a closer look at 13 search assignments the firm now has underway for a variety of institutions, including Cleveland State University, Community College of Philadelphia, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Franklin College, Nevada State College, Springfield College, SUNY Erie Community College, Texas Southern University (TSU), University at Buffalo Foundation, University of Northern Iowa (UNI), University of South Dakota, The University of the Bahamas (UB), and The University of the District of Columbia.
Cleveland State University, based in Cleveland, recently selected AGB Search to conduct the search for its next dean of the Washkewicz College of Engineering. As the chief academic officer for the college, the dean is expected to provide strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of the academic and scholarly programs, said the search firm. Concetta Stewart, principal, and executive search consultant Alan Crist are leading the assignment.
Community College of Philadelphia, located in Philadelphia, is looking for a dean of math, science, and health careers. The dean participates in the college’s strategic planning, provides oversight and management of assessment in the division, and works closely with both academic and administrative areas of the college. Ms. Stewart and search consultant Joy Yablonsky are heading the search.
Fairleigh Dickinson University, in Teaneck, NJ, chose AGB Search to help find its next vice president of student affairs. This administrator has overall responsibility for providing leadership, management, and supervision for the student affairs division as it works to respond to student needs across three North American campuses, with a pronounced focus upon those in New Jersey. Ms. Yablonsky and associate Andrew Bowen are spearheading the search.
Franklin College, based in Franklin, IN, enlisted the search firm to help find the college’s next director of its physician assistant program. The individual is responsible for developing short and long-term plans for the program, meeting accreditation requirements and elevating the program’s reputation throughout the region. Leading the assignment are executive search consultant Richard Wueste and Mr. Bowen.
Nevada State College, in Henderson, NV, selected AGB Search to conduct the search for its next president. The college wants a president with a forward-thinking mindset, extraordinary positive energy, exceptional vision, and long-term commitment, said the search firm. Executive search consultants Carlos Hernández and Garry Owens are heading the search.
Springfield College, based in Springfield, MA, is seeking a dean of its School of Arts & Sciences. The dean is responsible for creating an environment that is conducive to excellence in teaching, advising, scholarship and service, and the education of students’ spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others. The assignment is being led by principals Monica Burton and Ms. Stewart.
SUNY Erie Community College, located in Williamsville, NY, chose AGB Search to conduct the search for its next president. The college is seeking a leader to advance the institution’s proud tradition of excellence in academics, student life and community service, said the recruitment firm. Executive search consultants Kim Bobby and Frederick Moore are leading the search.
Texas Southern University (TSU), based in Houston, is in search of its next president. TSU seeks a visionary leader who will lead it to next-level progress and position the students and the university for greater opportunities. Roderick McDavis, managing principal, and search consultants Gwendolyn Boyd and Carlton Brown are spearheading the assignment for AGB Search.
Related:Â AGB Search Enters Final Stretch of 2020 With Wide Range of Assignments Underway
University at Buffalo Foundation, in Buffalo, NY., is looking for a new chief executive officer. The University at Buffalo Foundation, a private, not-for-profit educational corporation, plays a vital role in helping the University at Buffalo to pursue its mission and vision to establish, enhance and expand its global reputation for excellence. Kimberly Templeton, principal, and executive search consultant James Lanier Jr. are leading the assignment.
University of Northern Iowa (UNI), based in Cedar Falls, IA, selected AGB Search to conduct the search for its new provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. The university wants a forward-looking leader who can provide collaborative leadership in developing, supporting, and implementing the academic vision for UNI. Leading the search are executive search consultants James McCormick and Janice Fitzgerald.
Cultivating the Higher Education Leadership PipelineÂ
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!Â
University of South Dakota, based in Vermillion, SD, is partnering with AGB Search in the search for its new chief diversity officer. The university wants a CDO who is a capable and well-informed leader prepared to work effectively with the university president and serve as a liaison between university administration and both campus and community stakeholders. Ms. Bobby and Mr. Brown are leading the search.
The University of the Bahamas (UB), based in Nassau, is looking for a new president. The university’s next leader must be an effective and transformational team player who builds on the exceptional strengths of UB. Spearheading the assignment are Melissa Trotta, associate managing principal, and Mr. Brown.
The University of the District of Columbia, based in Washington, D.C., engaged AGB Search to conduct the search for its new dean of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) and director of land-grant programs. The new dean must bring thoughtful, forward-thinking leadership to CAUSES and arrive with a proven record of the transformational skills required to meet the needs of the students, community and market being served. Mr. McCormick and Ms. Fitzgerald are heading the search.
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.
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
