Funk Associates

ABOUT US

At Funk Associates, excellence in academic leadership recruitment is more than a service—it’s our legacy. For decades, we’ve been the trusted partner for leading colleges and universities across the country, dedicated to identifying and securing the most visionary Presidents, Chancellors, Provosts, Vice Presidents, and Deans to steer institutions towards increasing success.

Our journey began with a simple mission: to match exceptional talent with institutions poised for transformative growth. Over the years, we’ve honed our craft, refining our approach to meet the evolving needs of higher education. Through dedication, diligence, and a deep understanding of the academic landscape, we’ve earned a reputation for delivering unparalleled results.

At Funk Associates, our success is built on relationships. We take the time to truly understand the unique culture, values, and aspirations of each institution we serve. Whether it’s a prestigious Ivy League university or a burgeoning liberal arts college, we approach every search with the same level of care and commitment.

What sets us apart is our unwavering focus on quality over quantity. We eschew the one-size-fits-all approach in favor of tailored solutions that prioritize long-term success. Our extensive network of academic leaders spans the globe, allowing us to cast a wide net while maintaining a keen eye for the perfect fit.

But perhaps what truly distinguishes Funk Associates is our passion for higher education. We believe in the transformative power of academia to shape minds, inspire innovation, and drive societal progress. That’s why we’re proud to play a part in ensuring that the leaders of tomorrow have the guidance and support they need to succeed.

As we look towards the future, our commitment remains steadfast. We will continue to uphold the values of integrity, excellence, and inclusivity that have defined us for generations.

Together with our partners in academia, we will forge new paths, break down barriers, and empower institutions to reach new heights of success.

If you’re looking for a partner to help identify impactful leadership for your institution, please reach out; we stand ready to serve your unique needs.

Key Funk Associates Highlights:

  • The firm has accumulated numerous honors and accolades. Bill Funk, our founder, has been called the “guru of higher education recruiting” by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The American Council on Education (ACE) recognized our team’s work in recruiting women to senior-level positions in higher education by awarding us its Women’s Network Annual ‘Network Leadership Award’ several years ago. Hunt-Scanlon annually ranks us among the top search firms operating in the higher education arena and recently recognized us for conducting the “most important” searches in the industry in 2020.
  • The firm and its consultants have recruited more than 430 Presidents and Chancellors over the past several decades… and a similar number of Provosts, Vice Presidents and Deans. We work with large research institutions as well as small liberal arts colleges throughout the nation. Over the years, we have recruited Presidents to more than half of all AAU institutions as well as to leading regional and comprehensive schools and small liberal arts colleges.
  • Our firm has an unparalleled record of recruiting women and minority candidates to top positions in higher education. We have assisted in breaking the gender and/or color line in the President position at approximately 60 universities located throughout the country. During the past five years, approximately fifty-percent of all of our placements have been women or minority candidates.
  • We are a proud member of the American Council on Education’s ‘Executive Search Roundtable.’ Our consultants are proven and experienced. They do not take on competing or conflicting assignments and are available to you 24/7. Your search is important to us.
  • A majority of our dozen core employees worked together for 10 years or longer and share high standards of teamwork and performance and work only in the higher education arena. All of our recruiters are experienced consultants who are “hands on” and we do not turn over searches to junior support staff to contact potential candidates. The consultant you hire will be committed to your search for its duration and will be available to you 24/7.
  • Our firm offers our clients the longest/best guarantee in the industry… if the person we place leaves the university within the first two years – for whatever reason – we will re-do the search for no additional fee, charging only for administrative and out of pocket expenses.

Achievements

Funk Associates

Find a Recruiter

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If you’re looking for a partner to help identify impactful leadership for your institution, please reach out; we stand ready to serve your unique needs.

Funk Associates

Solutions and Expertise

Our firm has long enjoyed the reputation as the firm of first choice’ when colleges and universities have been faced with the challenge of recruiting new senior leadership. We are proud of this legacy and are pleased that so many institutions have placed their trust in us to assist in the attraction of the very best leaders for their campuses and systems.

We believe that our deep experience recruiting very successful leaders is the greatest advantage we contribute to our clients’ searches. We have had the privilege of utilizing our accumulated knowledge in recruiting Presidents, Provosts, Vice Presidents, and Deans for colleges and universities across the nation.

Solutions
  • Advisory Services
  • Assessment
  • Board Development
  • Executive Search
  • Flex RPO
  • Mgmt. Consulting
  • On-Demand Recruiting
  • Succession Planning
Industries
  • Colleges/Universities
  • Education
  • Intercollegiate Athletics
Functions
  • Board/Governance
  • Executive Appraisals

Funk Associates

News Briefings

Funk Associates Tapped by the University of North Florida to Lead Search for Eighth President

Funk Associates was recently retained by the University of North Florida (UNF) to lead a national search for its eighth president. Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. The presidential search committee, chaired by UNF board of trustees member Jack Boyle, plays a critical role in this process, focusing on

Funk Associates Retained by Clemson University for President Search

Funk Associates has been retained by Clemson University to lead in its search for its 16th president. The university is seeking candidates who possess extraordinary managerial skills, are adept at fund-raising, and are both innovative and visionary. James P. Clements announced his retirement, effective December 31, 2025. “We continue to make outstanding progress in our search

Funk Associates Appoints President

Funk Associates has made a leadership transition with the appointment of Willie Funk as president of the firm. Bill Funk will continue as the firm’s chief executive officer. In this role, he will continue to guide the strategic direction of the firm and will continue his engagement with clients and continue his consultancy on senior leadership

Funk Associates Recruits Provost for Clemson University 

Funk Associates has recruited J. Cole Smith as executive vice president for academic affairs and provost of Clemson University. This follows approval from the board of trustees compensation committee. He will replace Robert H. Jones, who announced he was stepping down following 11 years serving as the university’s provost. “I am thrilled to announce that Dr. Cole Smith has

Funk Associates

Press Releases

Announcement: Funk Associates Podcast Series “Voices of Leadership” – With Jere Morehead President of the University of Georgia

Our listeners have had the opportunity to listen to some of our guests who have been the President at as many as two, three (or in the case of Gordon Gee) as many as five institutions. Today’s guest, Jere Morehead, President of the University of Georgia, has been at the same institution since 1986 when

Funk Associates Announce President Appointment

Dallas, Texas…Funk Associates is pleased to announce a leadership transition that positions the firm for continued growth and success in serving higher education. Willie Funk has been named President of the firm. This is a natural evolution of the firm’s leadership structure, as Willie has been leading an impressive portfolio of senior-level search assignments and

Funk Associates Completes Three University President Searches

DALLAS, TX — June 30, 2025 — Funk Associates, a leading executive search firm specializing in higher education leadership, is pleased to announce the successful completion of three university presidential searches in June: Florida International University (FIU) has selected Jeanette Nuñez, former Lieutenant Governor of the State of Florida, to serve as its next President.

The University of Houston Invites Applications and Nominations for the Position of Dean of the C.T. Bauer College of Business.

The University of Houston (UH) seeks a proven academic leader who can serve as the new Dean of its prestigious C. T. Bauer College of Business. As lead administrator of Bauer College, the Dean will partner with university leadership and engage students, faculty, staff, alums, and other key constituents to continue the college’s trajectory of

Funk Associates

MULTIMEDIA

Funk Associates announce the premier of its podcast series, “Voices of Leadership”. The podcasts are intended to showcase important leaders in higher education discussing contemporary topics. Dr. Gordon Gee, President of West Virginia University, will kick-off the series, with Dr. Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University, and Dr. Mung Chiang, President of Purdue University following consecutively at two week intervals. Additional thought-leaders will be scheduled going forward.

Some of our more recent episodes are below, and Listeners are invited to tune into the series on the firm’s new website or on the Spotify and Apple podcast platforms!

In addition to the podcast series, the firm is announcing its new offering in the recruitment of intercollegiate coaches and athletic directors, and introducing a new website format.

PODCASTS

Episode 27 Jeff Selingo
Episode 26 Jere Morehead
Episode 25 Sinda Vanderpool
Episode 24 Michael Benson
Episode 23 Jay Hartzell
Episode 22 Michael Drake