Buffkin / Baker Assists Augusta University with President Search
September 19, 2024 – Partner-led executive search firm Buffkin / Baker recently assisted in the recruitment of Russell Keen as the new president of Augusta University. Partner Ann Yates and associate Dinah DeWitt led the assignment. Her appointment follows an announcement last fall by AU president Brooks Keel, that he would retire following the 2023-24 academic year, ending a 40-year career in higher education. Reporting to the chancellor of the University System of Georgia, Dr. Keen will serve as the campus’ chief executive officer, directs the work of the senior executive leadership team, oversees a budget of approximately $968 million, and is responsible for shaping the vision and strategic direction of the university.
“Russell has the experience and institutional knowledge for the job, and that will be critical as we look to increase Augusta University’s impact in Georgia and beyond,” University System of Georgia (USG) chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “I’m looking forward to watching Dr. Keen push AU toward being one of the best research universities in the nation as it continues to emphasize student success.”
Dr. Keen has worked within USG for over 22 years. For the past nine years, he has served in senior leadership at Augusta University, including in his current role as executive vice president for administration and chief of staff to the president. In this position, he has managed and allocated the university’s more than $1 billion budget, managed and coordinated its executive vice presidents and served as head administrator in the president’s absence.
From 2001 until 2015, Dr. Keen worked at Georgia Southern, where he advanced from director of annual giving to vice president for external affairs. In these positions, he secured hundreds of millions of dollars in university funding from individual fundraising campaigns and state and federal grants. His roles included vice president of governmental relations and community engagement where he developed relationships with local, state and federal officials to enhance the success of the university and its advocacy efforts. Dr. Keen previously worked as the major gifts officer at the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia.
“I truly look forward to serving Augusta University as its next president,” Dr. Keen said. “I am excited to expand the focus Augusta University has had on cutting-edge research and innovation. We will prioritize elevating a culture of excellence and creating an unparalleled student experience, while promoting critical thinking and student engagement.”
“It will be my priority to address Georgia’s growing need for highly skilled graduates and a well-educated workforce in vital areas such as health sciences, cybersecurity and education,” said Dr. Keen. “The impact of Jag Nation is already significant and felt on a global scale. I’m confident that our influence will continue to grow as we navigate this transformative phase at Augusta University.”
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Located on four campuses in the historic city for which it is named and on four regional campuses across the state, Augusta University is Georgia’s designated health sciences and medical research university, home of the Georgia Cancer Center and the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, and one of the country’s top universities for student success.
Buffkin / Baker is a specialty boutique search firm composed of industry leaders in their respective fields and each has over a decade of retained search experience. Their focus as search professionals is to recruit leaders in digital marketing/advertising, technology, healthcare, media/entertainment, finance, higher education, and non-profit. The firm serves public, private, venture, and private equity-backed companies. Its office locations include Nashville, TN; New York; Washington, D.C.; and Winston Salem, NC, with affiliate offices in London.
Recruiting Top-Notch Higher Education Leadership
In this brand new episode of ‘Talent Talks,’ Hunt Scanlon Media host Rob Adams is joined by Martin Baker, managing partner and Ken Carrick, partner from Buffkin Baker. Mr. Baker and Mr. Carrick take a deep dive into the current state of executive recruiting for the higher education sector and how this segment has been impacted by COVID-19. Listen Now!
Buffkin / Baker is a member of Panorama Search, an international federation of retained firms with 18 firms and over 30 offices globally. Buffkin / Baker formed in 2017 with the merger of the Buffkin Group and Baker and Associates LLC.
Experienced Executive Recruiters
Ms. Yates serves as a partner in the higher education practice. With a career spanning over two decades, her executive search career includes prior experience at two national executive search firms, most recently at ZRG Partners and before that at Witt/Kieffer where she served as a senior partner. Ms. Yates has completed more than 300 executive-level searches throughout her career, including engagements for presidents, provosts, deans, and vice presidents at leading public and private colleges and universities.
Ms. DeWitt joined Buffkin / Baker in 2023 and serves as an associate with the higher education practice. Her passion for higher education and recruiting was formed during her time at the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, where she served as a member of the admissions and career management center teams, as well as a campus recruiter for the master of accountancy program.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media