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 Seeks Chief Scientific Officer for Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Harris Search Associates has been selected to help find the next chief scientific officer for the Abigail Wexner Research Institute (AWRI) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH. Search firm founder and managing partner Jeffrey G. Harris is leading the assignment. AWRI wants an experienced pediatric research leader for this role, said the Dublin, OH-based

Harris Search Associates Seeks CHRO for Cuyahoga Community College

Dublin, OH-based executive recruitment firm Harris Search Associates has been selected to help find the next vice president and chief human resource officer of Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) in Cleveland. Search firm founder and managing partner Jeffrey G. Harris is leading the assignment. Tri-C is seeking a collaborative and visionary leader with the experience and

Harris Search Associates Seeks New Dean for Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

Dublin, OH-based executive recruitment firm Harris Search Associates has been enlisted to lead the search for the next dean of the College of Science and Health (COSH) at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) in Los Angeles. Reporting to the executive vice president for academic affairs/provost, the dean is responsible for guiding,

Harris Search Associates Seeks Department Chairs for University of Buffalo Pharmacy and Dental Schools

Harris Search Associates has been chosen to find new department chairs within both the schools of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences and dental medicine at the University of Buffalo, which is part of the State University of New York system. In the former assignment, the university seeks a chair for the department of pharmacy practice. The

Harris Search Associates

Press Releases

Harris Search Associates has recruited Dr. Kay-Uwe Wagner as Program Leader Tumor Biology and Microenvironment (TBM) at Karmanos Cancer Institute/Wayne State University

DUBLIN, OH, April 3, 2018 – Harris Search Associates has recruited Dr. Kay-Uwe Wagner as Program Leader Tumor Biology and Microenvironment (TBM) at Karmanos Cancer Institute/Wayne State University.  As Program Leader Dr. Wagner will provide overall direction for the TBM Program in partnership with the Program Co-Leader, the Program Advisory Committee, and the Cancer Center Executive Committee, all

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine selects Harris Search Associates to lead Chair of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Search

DUBLIN, OH, January 10, 2018 – University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine has selected Harris Search Associates to lead its Chair of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery search. Established in 1892, the School of Dental Medicine (SDM) continues to educate general practitioners, specialists and biomedical scientists in the art and science of oral health through its comprehensive accredited programs:

Harris Search Associates Places Vice Provost and Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing at Missouri S&T

DUBLIN, OH, May 26, 2017 — Harris Search Associates has recruited Dr. Richard Wlezien as Vice Provost and Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T). Dr. Richard W. Wlezien, the Vance and Arlene Coffman Endowed Department Chair in Aerospace Engineering at Iowa State University and a

Harris Search Associates Recruits Dr. Mark S. Johnson MD. MPH as Chair of the Department of Community and Family Medicine at the Howard University College of Medicine

DUBLIN, OH, November 25, 2016 — Harris Search Associates has recruited Dr. Mark S. Johnson MD. MPH as the next Chair of the Department of Community and Family Medicine at the Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM). Prior to his current position, he served previously as Dean at Howard, and previously as Chair of the Department of Family

Harris Search Associates Recruits Renee Coleman-Mitchell as Executive Director for Health and Wellness Services/Counseling and Psychological Services at Washington State University

DUBLIN, OH, September 30, 2016 — Harris Search Associates has recruited Renee Coleman-Mitchell as the next Executive Director for Health and Wellness Services, Counseling and Psychological Services at Washington State University. Reporting to the Vice President of Student Affairs, the Executive Director (ED) provides strategic vision, leadership, advocacy for, and management of Health and Wellness Services and Counseling and Psychological