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.
Key Funk Associates Highlights:
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.
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.
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 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 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 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
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
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
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 (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 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