AGB Search

About Us

AGB Search offers executive search, interim search, ExecComp compensation benchmarking, and executive coaching services exclusively for higher education institutions. Founded by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) in 2010, we have a broad and deep understanding of the qualifications critical for effective higher education leadership. Our affiliation with AGB ensures clients receive access to valued governance resources and training, in addition to our highly-regarded search services.

AGB Search’s Principals and Executive Search Consultants have extensive experience in higher education search, and many have served in college and university leadership positions. We have a team of Executive Search Associates and Search Associates who expertly manage the search and vetting process, and our staff provide essential support to the search professionals. Our track record provides institutional search teams with the confidence that their search will be successful.

Our relevant expertise, coupled with our commitment to a proven process, results in successful outcomes for both clients and candidates. We have completed more than 1,400 search assignments, more than 375 of which were for college and university Presidents or Chancellors. AGB Search has a 95 percent successful placement rate.

Achievements

Recent Assignments

AGB Search

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Many of our search consultants are former presidents or other senior executives of public and private four-year institutions, state and university systems, and community and two-year colleges.

AGB Search

Solutions And Expertise

AGB Search is a national firm that specializes in providing tailored services, including Executive Search, Interim Search, Executive Coaching, and ExecComp (compensation benchmarking) to higher education institutions. Our Principals and Executive Search Consultants bring extensive experience in higher education leadership and executive search, which provides the firm with a unique understanding of the qualifications critical for effective higher education leadership. AGB Search has conducted more than 1,400 searches at institutions ranging from small, private colleges to large public institutions and research universities. For more information please visit agbsearch.com

Solutions
  • Anti-Bias Training
  • Behavioral and Cognitive Assessment
  • Compensation Consulting
  • Executive Coaching
  • Executive Compensation
  • Executive Search
  • Interim Search
  • Leadership Consulting
  • Leadership Develop.
  • Personality Assessment
  • Presidential Transition Support
Industries
  • Academic Medical Centers
  • Associations
  • Colleges/Universities
  • Foundations
  • Higher Education
  • Non-Profits
Functions
  • Academic Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Administration & Finance
  • Advancement & Foundations
  • Athletics Administration
  • Chiefs of Staff and Board Professionals
  • Enrollment Management
  • Information Technology
  • Legal/Compliance
  • Marketing & Communications
  • Presidents & Chancellors
  • Provosts & Deans
  • Research and Innovation
  • Student Affairs
  • Sustainability

AGB Search

News Briefings

AGB Search Helps Recruit 20th President for the University of Montana

Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Jeremiah Shinn as the 20th president of the University of Montana. His selection follows a national search that drew more than 70 accomplished applicants from across the country. Roderick McDavis, James H. McCormick and Janice S. Fitzgerald led the assignment. “Dr. Shinn’s on-campus visit

AGB Search Recruits CHRO for the University of Colorado System

Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has helped to recruit Tony Gherardini as new vice president / chief human resources officer at the University of Colorado System (CU). Roderick McDavis and Margaret Plympton led the assignment. “We are thrilled Tony is joining our team,” said CU president Todd Saliman. “He has a long track record as

AGB Search Assists Lewis University with Recruitment of 11th President

Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Christopher Sindt as the 11th president of Lewis University. Melissa K. Trotta, Matthew J. Kilcoyne, and John Cech led the assignment. The Lewis University board of trustees previously announced that president David Livingston, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.

AGB Search Seeking President for the University of Montana

Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been retained by the University of Montana (UM) to lead in its search for a new president. Roderick McDavis, James H. McCormick and Janice S. Fitzgerald are leading the assignment. The Board of Regents for the Montana University System and Montana commissioner of Higher Education

AGB Search

Press Releases

AGB Search Continues Growth with New Executive Search Consultants

New consultants bring a diverse wealth of experience to higher education searches WASHINGTON, D.C., August 14, 2023 – AGB Search, a national leader in higher education executive search, continues to grow its roster of executive search consultants. During its 2022-2023 fiscal year, the firm has brought on nearly a dozen experts in higher education leadership

AGB Search Welcomes Matthew Kilcoyne As Principal

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 11, 2023 – AGB Search, a national leader in higher education executive search, has announced the appointment of Matthew Kilcoyne as the firm’s newest principal. Kilcoyne brings extensive higher education executive search experience to the firm, having served as consultant, speaker and panelist in the field for over 20 years. Kilcoyne’s executive

AGB Search Announces Recent Leadership Appointments

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 23, 2022 – AGB Search, a national leader in higher education executive search, is pleased to announce the following recent appointments: Benedict College has appointed Akilah Carter-Francique as the new dean of education. Carter-Francique joins Benedict College after serving as executive director for the Institute for the Study of Sport, Society and

AGB Search Explores The Role of Chief Diversity Officers in Higher Education – Voices from the Academy episode features Rider University Chief Diversity Officer Barbara J. Lawrence

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 20, 2022 – AGB Search, a national leader in higher education executive search, examines the challenges and successes of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts at colleges and universities with the newest installment of its video series Voices from the Academy. The series features higher education leaders who are meeting today’s challenges

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Multimedia

Podcasts

Cultivating the Higher Education Leadership Pipeline

In this brand new episode of ‘Talent Talks,’ Hunt Scanlon Media host Rob Adams is joined by Dr. Rod McDavis, managing principal of AGB Search and former President of Ohio University; and Dr. Nancy Zimpher, Chancellor Emerita, State University of New York. Together, Drs. McDavis and Zimpher founded the AGB Institute for Leadership & Governance

Blogs

Navigating Leadership Transitions: The Value of Search Firms as Trusted Partners

The Emergence of the Strategic Chief Business Officer

Videos

What should hiring authorities do to prepare for an executive search?
What advice do you have for institutions seeking top talent?
How is executive search evolving to meet institutions’ needs?
What distinguishes AGB Search in the Presidential search process?

Voices from the Academy Video Series