About Us

AGB Search is a leader in higher education executive search and the only firm that offers full search, interim search, and compensation evaluation services. Founded by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) in 2010, we have a unique understanding of the qualifications critical for effective higher education leadership.

Most of our search consultants are former presidents or senior executives of public and private four-year institutions, state and university systems, and community colleges. This firsthand experience — which includes board, administrative, and faculty perspectives — gives AGB Search insight and depth that is distinctive within the field of higher education executive search.

Our deep expertise, coupled with our commitment to our work, results in successful outcomes for both clients and candidates.  We have completed more than 600 search assignments, more than 200 of which were Presidents or Chancellors. Fifty percent of our appointments are women or people of color, and 93 percent of our appointments stay in their positions for at least five years.

Recent Assignments

Solutions And Expertise

Our deep expertise, coupled with our commitment to our work, results in successful outcomes for both clients and candidates.  We have completed more than 600 search assignments, more than 200 of which were Presidents or Chancellors.

Solutions
  • Career Services
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Executive Search
  • Interim
  • Leadership Develop.
  • Succession Planning
Industries
  • Associations
  • Colleges/Universities
  • Education
  • Foundations
  • Non-Profit
Functions
  • CEO/President
  • Development
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Finance/Accounting

News Briefings

AGB Search Seeking President for University of Nebraska

Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search has been enlisted to find the next president for the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Managing principal Roderick J. McDavis and consultants Sally Mason and Garry W. Owens are leading the assignment. President Hank Bounds, who has been president for four years, announced in March that he would be

AGB Search Seeks Provost for St. John’s University

Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search has been chosen to find the next provost and vice president for academic affairs for St. John’s University in New York City. Melissa K. Trotta, associate managing principal, and Roderick J. McDavis, managing principal, are leading the assignment. As chief academic officer of the university, the provost and vice

AGB Search Recruits President for Slippery Rock University
 AGB Search President Slippery Rock University

In recent months, a number of top universities have announced that they are looking for new, high-profile leaders to take them into new eras of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, in some cases, globalization. Several schools haven’t changed leaders in years or even decades, and their boards of trustees and search committees are finding an entirely

AGB Search Tapped by University of Guam to Find New President

Academic institutions continue to pump big fees into the coffers of executive search firms nationwide. Many academic recruiting specialists say business has never been better. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels, and if there’s any slowdown coming it is to be found at the talent identification stage.

Press Releases

AGB Search Partners with Prime Chief of Staff

AGB Search would like to formally announce our new partnership with Prime Chief of Staff. This partnership brings our near decade-long focus on the placement of higher-education executives across US-based colleges and universities together with Prime’s specialized placement of Chiefs of Staff to create more efficient and effective Executive Offices within higher education. Our companies share a passion

Industry Leaders Launch Institute for Aspiring Higher Education Presidents

Washington, D.C., Sept. 26, 2018 – With the higher education presidency changing at a dramatic pace, four organizations have joined forces to ensure future leaders have the requisite skills and knowledge to successfully lead institutions of higher learning. The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), AGB Search, the Rockefeller Institute of Government

Dr. Melissa K. Trotta Named Associate Managing Principal of AGB Search

Washington, D.C. – July 10, 2017 – Melissa K. Trotta, Ed.D., has been named associate managing principal of the Washington D.C.-based higher education search firm, AGB Search. AGB Search is the only firm that specializes in all aspects of higher education executive search. In making the announcement, Dr. Rod Mc Davis, managing principal of AGB

AGB Search and UPCEA Partner to Serve Growing Nontraditional Higher Learning Sector

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 28, 2017 – AGB Search, the only firm that specializes in all aspects of higher education executive search, has partnered with UPCEA, the leading association for professional, continuing, and online education, to provide executive search services for higher education institutions, units, and programs serving nontraditional student populations. From declining enrollments to

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AGB Search

Millikin University Starts Search for President
Patrick White, Millikin’s 15th president, announced in February that he plans to retire in June 2020. The reason for announcing more than a year in advance, White said, was to give the university…

South Carolina provost poised to be next U of M president
The Board of Regents named Joan Gabel as the sole finalist to become the next president of the University of Minnesota. She’ll come to Minnesota for final interviews soon. Gabel is executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of South Carolina.