Academic Career & Executive Search

About Us

Leadership. Impact.

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) is exclusively dedicated to higher education institutions. Recognizing the unique challenges of the education landscape, our flexible, flat fee search services cater to any budget level, without compromising on quality. Backed by a team of strong researchers, we take pride in generating robust and diverse candidate pools, ensuring the best-fit talent for every position. We possess an unparalleled ability to reach passive candidates, granting you access to hidden talent gems. We are skilled in filling even the most challenging and niche academic, leadership, and senior staff positions.

Our customer-centric approach sets us apart as our highly responsive team consistently ensures a seamless and efficient recruitment process, tailored to your specific needs. Our clients include 4-year universities, 2-year colleges, public and private institutions, R1 research universities, and liberal arts colleges.

Achievements

Academic Career & Executive Search

Our Team

5

The success of our team is a customer-centric approach and dedication to providing an exceptional search experience by delivering premium services, solutions, candidate pools, and search success.

Academic Career & Executive Search

Solutions And Expertise

We offer multiple levels of search services designed to meet your needs and budgets, giving you affordable options for every position level from faculty to senior administration.

We offer a fixed fee rather than a sliding scale or percentage of salary. Eliminated are additional monthly, research, administrative, or hourly/per diem fees, assuring stable fees over a search’s duration.

Enhanced Search:

Our most comprehensive level of service. We are involved in every step of the process from candidate profile development to final reference checks. Four levels of vetting include candidate review, social media and Google background check, candidate questionnaire and prescreen phone interview. Interview coordination and reference checks included. Placement guarantee included.

Full Search:

A slightly more economical search service including all items in the Enhanced Search including the four levels of vetting (candidate review, social media and Google check, candidate questionnaire and prescreen phone interview). Interview coordination and reference checks not included. Placement guarantee included.

Candidate Generator:

Our most economical level provides all stages included in the initial work to build the candidate pool. It includes three of the four levels of vetting (candidate review, social media and Google check, candidate questionnaire) including salary verification. Search committees review qualified candidates, conduct video interviews, identify finalists, and make the hire. Prescreen phone interview and written narrative, reference checks or interview coordination not included. Placement guarantee not included.

Faculty Hire:

Developed specifically for single or multi-hire faculty searches and offers the ability to hire multiple faculty from a single search effort. This level provides all stages included in the initial work to build the candidate pool and two of the four levels of vetting (candidate review, social media and Google check along with salary verification. Search committees review qualified candidates, conduct video interviews, identify finalists, and make the hire. ACES maintains weekly progress meetings throughout the search process. Candidate questionnaire, prescreen phone interview and written narrative, reference checks or interview coordination not included. Placement guarantee not included.

Solutions
  • Board Services
  • Career Services
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Executive Coaching
  • Executive Search
  • Interim
  • Leadership Develop.
  • On-Demand Recruiting
  • Onboarding
  • Recruitment Research

Academic Career & Executive Search

News Briefings

Academic Career & Executive Search Places Dean of College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University

After a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has placed Chris Culbertson as the new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University (K-State). Dr. Culbertson, interim dean for nearly a year, has also served as a professor of chemistry and associate dean of research and graduate studies. He was

Academic Career & Executive Search Spearheads Efforts to Find an Inclusion and Belonging Leader for Boise State University

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been selected by Boise State University to lead its search for a vice provost for inclusion and belonging. This executive serves as a senior official charged with leading and coordinating the efforts in academic affairs to support a richly diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all students, staff, and

Academic Career & Executive Search Seeks Provost for Clarkson University

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been enlisted to find the next provost for Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. Robyn Hannigan stepped down from the role last June to become president of nearby Ursinus College. Goodarz Ahmadi, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, is serving as interim provost. “This is an exciting opportunity for

Academic Career & Executive Search Seeking CHRO for Boise State University

A number of universities have recently turned to search firms to find new chief human resources officers. Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been called in by Boise State University to lead its search for a CHRO. Reporting directly to the president, the CHRO is a senior member of Boise State’s leadership team, responsible

Academic Career & Executive Search

Press Releases

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) selected by University of Central Missouri for Associate Vice President of Human Resources Search

(February 20, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Associate Vice President of Human Resources at the University of Central Missouri (UCM). Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. Reporting to the CFO and serving

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) selected by University of Central Missouri for Associate Vice President for University Advancement Search

(February 20, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Associate Vice President for University Advancement at the University of Central Missouri (UCM). Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. At a moment of sustained philanthropic

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) selected by North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University for Dean, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Search

(February 11, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Dean for the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T).  Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) Places Interim President at Richard Bland College

(February 11, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, is pleased to announce the successful placement of Dr. Kenneth Cooper Alexander, securing the role as Interim President at Richard Bland College. Kenneth Alexander, Ph.D., brings a distinguished record of leadership

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) selected by Tarleton State University for Head of Agricultural Education and Communication Department and Tenured Associate or Full Professor Search

(February 11, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Head of Agricultural Education and Communication Department and Tenured Associate or Full Professor at Tarleton State University. Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. Reporting to

Academic Career & Executive Search

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