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.
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has placed Tasha Alston as the inaugural chief diversity and inclusion officer for the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford in Bradford, PA. Jennifer Muller, managing partner and senior consultant, led the assignment for the search firm. “The University of Pittsburgh-Bradford required a committed, dynamic leader with a proven history of providing students
West Hartford, Conn.-based Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has placed Lori Cox, the former tribal administrator for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Tucson, AZ, as the new chief internal auditor for Dallas College in Texas. Managing partner Jennifer Muller led the assignment for the search firm. “Dallas College sought a sophisticated senior financial executive
West Hartford, Conn.-based Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has placed Debra Feakes as the new dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Texas A&M University – San Antonio in San Antonio, TX. “Co-chairs Vijay Golla and Bill Bush sought to find a dean who could proactively take the lead in solidifying and implementing the
West Hartford, Conn-based Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has placed the new dean of the Cotsakos College of Business at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ. Anthony Bowrin, a highly respected scholar and administrator with senior leadership experience at three internationally recognized business schools, joined the university this summer. “Search committee co-chairs Jonathan Lincoln and
(October 31, 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. Angie McPhee Smith, securing the role as Dean of Instruction, Nursing and Health Professions at North Idaho College. Angie McPhee Smith is
(October 31, 2025, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Chief Information & Technology Officer at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt). Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. The role of Chief Information &
(October 3, 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. Christopher Woleben, securing the role as Associate Dean of Admissions at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Christopher Woleben, M.D., a pediatric
(October 3, 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 Blanca Cook, securing the role as Manager of Accounting at Texas Southern University. Ms. Blanca Cook holds a Master of Accounting degree from
(October 3, 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 Tehmina Mustafa, securing the role as Senior Accountant at Texas Southern University. Ms. Tehmina Mustafa is a CPA and holds a BS in