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 Recruits President for Slippery Rock University
AGB Search President Slippery Rock University

In recent months, a number of top universities have announced that they are looking for new, high-profile leaders to take them into new eras of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, in some cases, globalization. Several schools haven’t changed leaders in years or even decades, and their boards of trustees and search committees are finding an entirely

AGB Search Tapped by University of Guam to Find New President

Academic institutions continue to pump big fees into the coffers of executive search firms nationwide. Many academic recruiting specialists say business has never been better. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels, and if there’s any slowdown coming it is to be found at the talent identification stage.

AGB Search Seeks New President for Slippery Rock University

Academic institutions continue to pump big fees into the coffers of executive search firms nationwide. Many academic recruiting specialists say business, in fact, has never been better. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels, and if there’s any slowdown coming it is to be found at the talent

AGB Search Tapped to Find Iowa State President

As the academic year winds down, a number of colleges and universities across the country are already preparing for September. For many of them, that means opening searches that will deliver new, high profile leaders to take them into a new era of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, more often the case, globalization. Among the latest, the Iowa

AGB Search

Press Releases

Dr. Melissa K. Trotta Named Associate Managing Principal of AGB Search

Washington, D.C. – July 10, 2017 – Melissa K. Trotta, Ed.D., has been named associate managing principal of the Washington D.C.-based higher education search firm, AGB Search. AGB Search is the only firm that specializes in all aspects of higher education executive search. In making the announcement, Dr. Rod Mc Davis, managing principal of AGB

AGB Search and UPCEA Partner to Serve Growing Nontraditional Higher Learning Sector

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 28, 2017 – AGB Search, the only firm that specializes in all aspects of higher education executive search, has partnered with UPCEA, the leading association for professional, continuing, and online education, to provide executive search services for higher education institutions, units, and programs serving nontraditional student populations. From declining enrollments to

Dr. Rod McDavis Tapped to Lead Higher Ed-Focused Executive Search Firm

Washington, D.C. – December 9, 2016 – Dr. Rod McDavis, president of Ohio University, has been selected as the new managing principal for AGB Search, the only executive search firm that specializes in providing search, interim search, compensation evaluation and leadership transition assistance to public and private higher education institutions. In announcing the selection, Joyce

AGB Search

Multimedia

Podcasts

Blogs

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