Academic Search

About Us

For more than four decades, Academic Search has offered executive search services to higher education institutions, associations, and related organizations. Academic Search was founded by higher education leaders on the principle that we provide the most value to partner institutions by combining best practices with our deep knowledge and experience. Our mission today is to enhance institutional capacity by providing outstanding executive recruitment services, executive coaching, and transition support, in partnership with our parent organization, the American Academic Leadership Institute.

Academic Search’s accomplished consultants have intimate knowledge of what makes a successful executive leader due to a combined 1600 years of higher education experience, and are unmatched in access to and knowledge about both current and rising leaders in higher education. The consultants leverage their extensive networks to gain access to a wide and expansive group of highly qualified potential candidates and referrals forged from relationships they developed from having previously served in campus leadership roles across the country.

Our Services

EXECUTIVE SEARCH

We understand that hiring qualified and effective new team members is critical to the life of any institution. As a trusted search partner, Academic Search is dedicated to providing service that our partner institutions can rely on unequivocally to achieve their recruitment goals and to support their overarching missions. We pledge to serve our partners with robust advocacy for their institutions and complete attention to their needs, while providing expert, ethical advisement and assistance throughout every search.

EXECUTIVE COACHING

Academic Search has long been committed to enhancing presidential and executive effectiveness and capacity through executive coaching. Our Executive Coaching Practice is designed to make strong leaders stronger. Our coaches serve as trusted companions and guides, committed to helping the executives with whom we work accomplish their leadership and institutional goals. This partnership is an invaluable investment in institutional vitality and well-being as much as it is an investment in the executive.

TRANSITION AND ONBOARDING

The creation and execution of a well-structured transition and onboarding plan is imperative to a successful integration process. We work with newly appointed leaders and their institutions in assuring that all are equipped to succeed and to advance the institutions. Our collaborative process is built on the imperatives of culture, context, and relational capital and includes custom-designed workshops that quickly acclimate any new leader to key stakeholders and the campus and broader communities.

For more information, visit www.academicsearch.org.

ACHIEVEMENTS

RECENT PLACEMENTS

Academic Search

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Academic Search is mission driven: We are institution builders focused on partnering with colleges and universities to assemble the best teams possible. We understand that hiring qualified and effective new team members is critical to the life of any institution. As your trusted partner, Academic Search pledges to serve you with robust advocacy for your institution, enthusiasm for your mission, complete attention to your needs, and expert, ethical advisement, and assistance throughout the search process.

One of the hallmarks of Academic Search is our use of a team approach that involves one or more senior consultants as well as a consultant and/or associate consultant. The team we propose for a search will have direct, hands-on overall responsibility for all consulting services provided throughout the search. This is a characteristic that distinguishes us from others and reflects our mission-focused approach. Our accomplished consultants are seasoned and thoughtful leaders who have an intimate understanding of what makes a successful executive leader as well as vast professional networks.

Biographies for other members of our team can be found on the Academic Search website at www.academicsearch.org/our-team.

Academic Search

Solutions And Expertise

Solutions
  • Executive Coaching
  • Executive Search
  • Leadership Consulting
  • Leadership Develop.
  • Onboarding
Industries
  • Associations
  • Colleges/Universities
  • Education
  • Non-Profit
Functions
  • Board/Governance
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • General Management
  • Human Resources

Academic Search

News Briefings

Academic Search at Closing Stages of President Search for Valparaiso University

Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search was recently selected by Valparaiso University to lead in its search for a new president. President José Padilla will retire on December 31, 2025, at the conclusion of his contract. Senior consultants Pamela Balch, Mike Maxey, and search manager Penny Gibbons are leading the assignment. “Over the past month, the presidential search committee

Academic Search Assists the University of Alabama with the Recruitment of 30th President

Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has assisted in the recruitment of Peter J. Mohler as the 30th president of the University of Alabama. He will assume the role on July  21. Stuart R. Bell, the 29th president of the University of Alabama, is stepping down from the presidency mid-summer, completing a decade in the school’s top leadership

Academic Search Recruits 12th President for the Hartford International University for Religion and Peace

Education-focused executive recruitment firm Academic Search has assisted in the recruitment of Rev. Dr. Sherry Turner as the 12th president of the Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (HIU). The search was led by Sharon D. Herzberger, senior consultant, and Carly Place, associate consultant. Dr. Turner will succeed president Joel N. Lohr, who has led HIU since

Academic Search Seeking New President for the University of Alabama

Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has been retained by the University of Alabama (UA) to lead in its search for a new president. Stuart R. Bell, the 29th president of the University of Alabama, has announced his plans to step down from the presidency mid-summer, completing a decade in the school’s top leadership role. Senior consultant Ann

Academic Search

Press Releases

Executive Coaching Circles: Empowering Women in Higher Education

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are proud to spotlight the HERS Executive Coaching Circles program, an innovative initiative designed to acknowledge, celebrate, empower, and advance women leaders throughout the higher education sector. This comprehensive program, a collaboration with HERS (Higher Education Resource Services), offers a dynamic platform for women in executive roles, such

Welcoming Six New Consultants to Our Practice

We are excited to announce that Academic Search has welcomed four associate consultants and two consultants to our team, each with a diverse background in higher education: Wendy Kallina, Jandi Kelly, Jordan Horvath, Tracy Bartlett Lively, Carly Place, and Lindsey Walke. As our executive search practice continues to keep pace with the past two years

Crafting Effective Application Materials for Academic Leadership Roles

When considering applying for a role at an institution, there are a few key documents that are typically requested for your application to be considered: a cover letter, CV/resume, and references. While your application materials should be catered toward the role you are applying for, there are a few best practice guidelines you should follow

Academic Search Leader Ann Die Hasselmo Honored by the Council of Independent Colleges

At the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) 2024 Presidents Institute, Dr. Ann Die Hasselmo was honored with the Allen P. Splete Award for Outstanding Service, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to independent higher education. Dr. Hasselmo’s receipt of this award is a reflection of her unwavering dedication and the profound impact she

Academic Search Establishes Fund for Leadership Development for Two Higher Education Organizations

Academic Search, a leading executive search firm dedicated to higher education, proudly announces the establishment of the Academic Search Fund for Leadership Development through $1 million in gifts to be split equally between the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). The organizations have each established permanent

Academic Search

Multimedia

Talent Talks

Recruiting Top Leaders for Academia

In this brand new episode of ‘Talent Talks,’ Hunt Scanlon Media host Rob Adams is joined by Rich Ekman, president of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) & Jay Lemons, president of Academic Search. In this exclusive podcast, Rich & Jay examine the skills and traits now required of successful university presidents and what skill-sets

Videos

Academic Search: Setting the Standard for Excellence in Higher Education Executive Search
Academic Search: Executive Coaching Designed for Higher Education Leaders
Academic Search: Committed to Identifying and Developing Leaders in Higher Education

Podcasts

Today’s higher education leaders share their stories and insights about leadership in the academy. Join host Jay Lemons and his guests for thoughtful conversations and interesting perspectives on leadership.

Leaders on Leadership is brought to you by Academic Search and the American Academic Leadership Institute, who together support colleges and universities during times of transition and through leadership development activities that serve current and future generations of institutional leaders.

To listen to the Leaders on Leadership podcasts, click here!

Further Research/Insights