Harris Search Associates

About Us

Harris Search Associates is a leading global executive search and board advisory consulting firm. Modeled after the first premier management-consulting firms, in 1997, we launched our practice exclusively focused on executive search and management consulting of executive leadership to support the growth of the foremost universities, research parks, institutes, academic medical centers, children’s hospitals and healthcare organizations driving global innovation and discovery. Based in Columbus Ohio, we have additional regional offices in San Francisco and Dallas. We have successfully completed over 1100 assignments.

We are the only national firm that combines the recruiting and leadership assessment expertise of consultants from the largest, most well-recognized retained search organizations with highly respected, former university Presidents, Provosts, Deans, Vice Presidents, and senior administrators from across the country.

At the highest level, retained executive search is a combination of both art and science. We are naturally curious, listen intently, and fervent in our aggressive recruitment of talent. Analytics, assessment tools, artificial intelligence, and the efficient use of data help inform our judgment, but skillful, adept search counsel guides the relationship between each client and our firm.

Each year, our business is represented by over 70% from repeat client institutions. Over the life of our firm we have successfully completed 94% of engagements. Assignments are consistently completed within 110 days, utilizing a process that blends efficiency with thorough due diligence. Average tenure of candidates placed leads the industry at 4.6 years.

Recent Placements

Harris Search Associates

Our Team

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Our diverse team of seasoned consultants combine experience from the most well-recognized, global retained executive search organizations with expertise from successful careers in academic administration.

Harris Search Associates

Solutions And Expertise

Modelled after the first premier management consulting firms, our practice remains solely focused on the distinctive needs of higher education. We recognize the transformative impact higher education plays in the growth of our country and understand leadership of an academic enterprise is more challenging than it has ever been, requiring an increasingly wide range of skills to balance the diverse missions of research, education, and service.

The responsibility to serve as higher education executive search counsel to the foremost institutions that educate and train the next generation of scholars, creators, leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators remains an honor in every search assignment.

At the highest level, retained executive search remains a combination of both art and science. Analytics, assessment tools, the efficient use of data, and a reach that’s truly global informs our judgment; but, in the end, creation of a deep sense of partnership with mutual accountability, followed by specific, actionable recommendations, is paramount to our shared success.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss the future executive leadership needs at your institution.

Solutions
  • Executive Coaching
  • Executive Search
  • Leadership Consulting
  • Leadership Develop.
  • Mgmt. Consulting
Industries
  • Aerospace/Defense
  • Colleges/Universities
  • Government
  • Healthcare Services
Functions
  • Board/Governance
  • CEO/President/Executive Director
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Finance/Accounting
  • General Management
  • GM/Operations
  • Government
  • Human Resources
  • Information/Digital
  • Informational/Digital
  • Legal/Compliance
  • Marketing & Sales

Harris Search Associates

News Briefings

Harris Search Associates Recruits Inaugural Director of National Center for Opioid Research and Clinical Efficacy at the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute

Following a national search that included a highly competitive candidate pool, Harris Search Associates has placed Alicia Allen as the inaugural director of the National Center for Opioid Research and Clinical Efficacy (NCOR) at the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute and Associate Professor, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Dr. Allen previously served at the University

Harris Search Associates Recruits CIO for Northwest State Community College

Following a national search that included a highly competitive, diverse candidate pool, Harris Search Associates has recruited Darin Seiler as chief information officer of Northwest State Community College. Jeffrey Harris and Ed Christ led the assignment. Mr. Seiler has over 25 years of technology experience, driving data-informed decision-making and leading transformative IT initiatives. He most recently served as chief information

Harris Search Associates Seeking CFO for Central State University

Academic institutions continue to pump big fees into executive search firms nationwide. Many academic recruiting specialists say business, in fact, has never been better despite some sectors of executive search slowing over the past year. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels, and if there’s any slowdown coming

Harris Search Associates Assists Simmons University with Search for New Dean

After a comprehensive search process, Harris Search Associates assisted Simmons University in the recruitment of Ammina Kothari to serve as the new dean of the Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Jeffrey Harris and Jon Schwantes led the assignment. The appointment of Dr. Kothari follows an expansive search which included vetting more than 60 candidates.

Harris Search Associates

Press Releases

Harris Search Associates recruits Dr. Joanne Turner as Chief Scientific Officer at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Following an extensive national search that included a highly competitive candidate pool from across the country, we are pleased to announce the recruitment of Dr. Joanne Turner as Chief Scientific Officer at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Most recently, Dr. Turner served as Executive Vice President for Research and a Professor

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Abigail Wexner Research Institute selects Harris Search Associates to lead the search for the next Chief Scientific Officer

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Abigail Wexner Research Institute has selected Harris Search Associates to lead the search for the next Chief Scientific Officer Nationwide Children’s Hospital Abigail Wexner Research Institute has selected Harris Search Associates to lead the search for the next Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). The Abigail Wexner Research Institute (AWRI) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Harris Search Associates recruits Dr. Charles A. Pierce as Dean of the School of Business at Oakland University

Harris Search Associates has recruited Dr. Charles A. Pierce as Dean of the School of Business at Oakland University Following an extensive national search that included a highly competitive candidate pool from across the country, we are pleased to announce the recruitment of Dr. Charles A. Pierce as Dean of the School of Business at

Harris Search Associates recruits Dr. Ellen Evans as Chair of the Department of Kinesiology at Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health

Harris Search Associates has recruited Dr. Ellen Evans as Chair of the Department of Kinesiology at the Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health (IU-SPH-B). Following an extensive national search that included a highly competitive candidate pool from across the country, we are pleased to announce the recruitment of Dr. Ellen Evans as Chair of

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science Selects Harris Search Associates to Lead Search for the Next Dean of the College of Science and Health

(March 2022) Charles R. Drew University University of Medicine and Science (CDU) has selected academic medicine executive search firm Harris Search Associates to lead the search for its next Dean of the College of Science and Health (COSH). Reporting to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost, the Dean is responsible for guiding, directing, and