Funk Associates

ABOUT US

Funk Associates is the premier search and consulting firm in higher education. Headquartered in Dallas, the firm and its consultants are known as the leading recruiters of Presidents, Chancellors, Provosts, Vice Presidents and Deans to colleges and universities around the country. The firm’s consultants have conducted approximately 450 searches for college and university Presidents and Chancellors alone. It has been the recipient of many accolades, including selection as one of the “Best Executive Search Firms” by Forbes Magazine (for the fourth consecutive year) and as a “Top Recruiting Firm in America 2025” by Business Insider magazine.

Achievements

Funk Associates

Find a Recruiter

Krisha Creal

Chief of Staff

Robert William Funk

Founder

Willie Funk

President

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 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 Fills President Roles for Florida International University, Coastal Carolina University, and University of St. Thomas – Houston

Funk Associates has recently completed presidential searches for Florida International University (FIU), Coastal Carolina University (CCU), and University of St. Thomas – Houston (UST). “These searches reflect the continued trust institutions place in our firm to identify visionary and mission-driven leaders,” said Bill Funk, founder and CEO of Funk Associates. “We are proud to have partnered with each of these

Funk Associates at Closing Stages of President Search for Florida International University

Funk Associates is currently at the end stages of recruiting the seventh president for Florida International University (FIU). “Over the past several weeks, the presidential search committee has identified and interviewed candidates interested in becoming FIU’s seventh president,” Carlos A. Duart, chair, FIU presidential search committee; vice chair, FIU board of trustees, wrote in a letter

Funk Associates Tapped by the University of St. Thomas to Lead President Search

Funk Associates has been retained by the University of St. Thomas to lead a national search for a new president. The school is looking for a dynamic and proven leader. Richard L. Ludwick, who has served as president at the University of St. Thomas-Houston since July 1, 2017, will step down from that role on

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Funk Associates

Press Releases

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

Inaugural Dean of the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics

The College of Charleston invites nominations and applications for the founding Dean of the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics. Founded in 1770 and located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is one of the oldest universities in the nation and among the nation’s top universities for the high

PRESIDENT AND CEO

Purdue for Life Foundation (PFLF) seeks an outstanding leader as its next President and Chief Executive Officer to lead and coordinate all engagement, development, and advancement efforts on behalf of Purdue University. About Purdue University Purdue University is a public research institution demonstrating excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities and with two

Funk Associates Initiates Podcast Series “Voices of Leadership”

Funk Associates announced 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

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