Academic Career & Executive Search

About Us

Leadership. Impact.

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) is exclusively dedicated to higher education institutions. Recognizing the unique challenges of the education landscape, our flexible, flat fee search services cater to any budget level, without compromising on quality. Backed by a team of strong researchers, we take pride in generating robust and diverse candidate pools, ensuring the best-fit talent for every position. We possess an unparalleled ability to reach passive candidates, granting you access to hidden talent gems. We are skilled in filling even the most challenging and niche academic, leadership, and senior staff positions.

Our customer-centric approach sets us apart as our highly responsive team consistently ensures a seamless and efficient recruitment process, tailored to your specific needs. Our clients include 4-year universities, 2-year colleges, public and private institutions, R1 research universities, and liberal arts colleges.

Achievements

Academic Career & Executive Search

Our Team

5

The success of our team is a customer-centric approach and dedication to providing an exceptional search experience by delivering premium services, solutions, candidate pools, and search success.

Academic Career & Executive Search

Solutions And Expertise

We offer multiple levels of search services designed to meet your needs and budgets, giving you affordable options for every position level from faculty to senior administration.

We offer a fixed fee rather than a sliding scale or percentage of salary. Eliminated are additional monthly, research, administrative, or hourly/per diem fees, assuring stable fees over a search’s duration.

Enhanced Search:

Our most comprehensive level of service. We are involved in every step of the process from candidate profile development to final reference checks. Four levels of vetting include candidate review, social media and Google background check, candidate questionnaire and prescreen phone interview. Interview coordination and reference checks included. Placement guarantee included.

Full Search:

A slightly more economical search service including all items in the Enhanced Search including the four levels of vetting (candidate review, social media and Google check, candidate questionnaire and prescreen phone interview). Interview coordination and reference checks not included. Placement guarantee included.

Candidate Generator:

Our most economical level provides all stages included in the initial work to build the candidate pool. It includes three of the four levels of vetting (candidate review, social media and Google check, candidate questionnaire) including salary verification. Search committees review qualified candidates, conduct video interviews, identify finalists, and make the hire. Prescreen phone interview and written narrative, reference checks or interview coordination not included. Placement guarantee not included.

Faculty Hire:

Developed specifically for single or multi-hire faculty searches and offers the ability to hire multiple faculty from a single search effort. This level provides all stages included in the initial work to build the candidate pool and two of the four levels of vetting (candidate review, social media and Google check along with salary verification. Search committees review qualified candidates, conduct video interviews, identify finalists, and make the hire. ACES maintains weekly progress meetings throughout the search process. Candidate questionnaire, prescreen phone interview and written narrative, reference checks or interview coordination not included. Placement guarantee not included.

Solutions
  • Board Services
  • Career Services
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Executive Coaching
  • Executive Search
  • Interim
  • Leadership Develop.
  • On-Demand Recruiting
  • Onboarding
  • Recruitment Research

Academic Career & Executive Search

News Briefings

Academic Career & Executive Search Adds Former President of U of Maine
Academic Career & Executive Search Dr. Robert A. Kennedy

West Hartford, CT-based Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has expanded with the addition of Dr. Robert A. Kennedy as an executive search consultant. Dr. Kennedy has over 40 years of experience in academia, including six years as president of the University of Maine. He also served as executive vice president and provost at the

Academic Career & Executive Search Adds Former Tuskegee University President

In the wake of its launch earlier this month, Academic Career & Executive Search has added former Tuskegee University president Dr. Gilbert L. Rochon to its team. He brings 30 years of experience in academia to the West Hartford, CT-based recruitment firm. Jennifer Muller, ACES managing partner and lead consultant, said Dr. Rochon brings both

Academic Career & Executive Search Opens to Serve Higher Education Sector
Academic Career & Executive Search Launches

Veteran executive recruiter Jennifer Muller has launched Academic Career and Executive Search (ACES), a higher education search firm focused on high precision, flexible executive search services, career planning and candidate coaching. “Over the years I’ve learned institutions need more flexible search services,” said Ms. Muller. “Our new model offers six unique levels. For even greater

Academic Career & Executive Search

Press Releases

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) selected by North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University for Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer Search

(September 4, 2025, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. Reporting directly to

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) Places Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Abilene Christian University

(September 4, 2025, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, is pleased to announce the successful placement of Randy Nguyen, securing the role as Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Abilene Christian University. Dr. Randy Nguyen recently obtained his PhD in Statistics

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) Places Chair of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Abilene Christian University

(September 4, 2025, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, is pleased to announce the successful placement of Dr. Samuel Funk, securing the role as the Chair of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Abilene Christian University. Dr. Samuel Funk earned his

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) Places Vice President of Facilities, Maintenance, and Grounds Search at Washtenaw Community College

(August 14, 2025, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, is pleased to announce the successful placement of Craig Whipstock securing the role as Vice President of Facilities, Maintenance, and Grounds at Washtenaw Community College. Mr. Craig Whipstock holds an MBA

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) selected by Vanderbilt University School of Nursing for Senior Associate Dean of Research Search

(August 5, 2025, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Senior Associate Dean for Research in the School of Nursing at Vanderbilt University. Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. The Senior Associate Dean for Research

Academic Career & Executive Search

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