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.
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.
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.
Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has placed Shaun McAlmont as CEO of CHESS (Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services). He will succeed founding CEO Kathy Ulibarri, who will retire after guiding CHESS from its formation in 2021 to its emergence as a national model for shared services in higher education. Jennifer
Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has recruited Chris Pendleton as the inaugural chief marketing officer of Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). Jennifer Muller, managing partner, led the search. “I’m thrilled to have Chris joining our CNM leadership team,” said Tracy Hartzler, president. “He has proven experience at leveraging modern marketing
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been tapped by Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, MI, to recruit the next chief external affairs officer. Jennifer Muller, managing partner, is leading the search. Reporting directly to the president, this position is responsible for the college’s overall strategy relating to government relations, brand awareness, public relations, reputation,
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been retained by Fort Hays State University to lead in its search for a director of human resources. Jennifer Muller, managing partner, is leading the search. With a strong, dedicated and experienced team already in place, the director will be well supported in providing leadership across human resources, employee relations,
(April 3, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Associate Dean for Simulation and Experiential Learning and Professor at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing. Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading
(February 20, 2026, 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 President of Human Resources at the University of Central Missouri (UCM). Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. Reporting to the CFO and serving
(February 20, 2026, 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 President for University Advancement at the University of Central Missouri (UCM). Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. At a moment of sustained philanthropic
(February 11, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Dean for the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T). Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the
(February 11, 2026, 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. Kenneth Cooper Alexander, securing the role as Interim President at Richard Bland College. Kenneth Alexander, Ph.D., brings a distinguished record of leadership