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 Fills Senior Position for Western Colorado University 

Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has recently assisted Western Colorado University with the recruitment of Shelley Thompson as vice president of advancement and executive director of the WCU Foundation. Kimberly Templeton and Andrew Bowen led the assignment. “Shelley has extensive experience in the philanthropic sector, both in higher education and beyond,” Western president Brad Baca

AGB Search Tapped by Lewis University to Find Next President

Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been retained by Lewis University to lead in its search its 11th president. Melissa K. Trotta, Matthew J. Kilcoyne, and John Cech are leading the assignment. The Lewis University board of trustees has announced that president David Livingston, will retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26

AGB Search Recruits 12th President for Saint Leo University

Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has assisted in the recruitment of Jim Burkee as the 12th president of Saint Leo University, following the retirement of Dr. Edward Dadez in February. Senior executive search consultant Sally Mason and executive search consultant Larry Ladd led the assignment. More than 300 candidates from across the nation applied. Finalists

Western Colorado University Retains AGB Search for Senior Assignment

Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, has been selected by Western Colorado University to lead in its search for vice president of advancement and executive director of the WCU Foundation. This unique opportunity allows a seasoned advancement executive to build on the momentum created from the highly successful Elevate Western Campaign.

AGB Search

Press Releases

AGB Search Announces New Leadership Searches

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 6, 2022 – Higher education executive search leader AGB Search announces its newest administrative and academic searches with deadlines in April and May: Administrative Leadership Searches Emporia State University, located in Emporia, Kan., invites nominations and applications for the position of president. Managing Principal Rod McDavis and Executive Search Consultants Beverly Warren

AGB Search Announces Recent Leadership Appointments

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 21, 2022 – AGB Search, a national leader in higher education executive search, is pleased to announce the following recent appointments: California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) has appointed Richard Yao as its fourth president. Yao had served as the interim president of CSUCI since January 2021. Read more. Cleveland State University

Ensuring Institutional Success with Human Resources and Executive Search Firms

Why are top HR roles more important now than ever? Human Resources leaders in today’s higher education landscape are key to an institution’s success, with the primary responsibility of developing and managing a comprehensive talent strategy that advances the organizational mission. The pandemic continues to put an incredible strain on higher education institutions, thus a

AGB Search Places Director of Finance at St. Thomas Aquinas College

(Aug. 2021) Executivesearch firm AGB Search, LLC aided St. Thomas Aquinas College in placing Pascal Kabemba as the school’s next Director of Finance. Melinda Leonardo, executive search consultant at AGB Search, led the search. “After a national search which resulted in a robust pool of candidates, AGB Search is pleased to share that the St.

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Multimedia

Podcasts

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