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.

Achievements

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 Opens 2021 with Slew of Top Recruiting Assignments

A number of colleges and universities across the country are opening searches that, if all goes to plan, will allow high-profile leaders to take them into a new era of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, increasingly the case, globalization – not to mention a pandemic and post-pandemic era. One national recruiting outfit, Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search, has

AGB Search Closing 2020 with Multiple Searches for Top Universities

A number of colleges and universities across the country are opening searches that, if all goes to plan, will provide high-profile leaders to take them into a new era of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, increasingly the case, globalization – not to mention a pandemic. One national recruiting outfit, Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search, has become a magnet

AGB Search Fills Provost Post for Kent State University 

Following a national search, Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search has assisted in the recruitment of Melody Tankersley as the new provost for Kent State University in Ohio. Melissa K. Trotta and Ellen Meyer led the assignment. An experienced leader, Dr. Tankersley has served Kent State in positions of increasing responsibility since 1993. In 2019, she was named interim senior

AGB Search Selected by University of North Dakota to Find Provost

A number of colleges and universities across the country are opening searches that, if all goes to plan, will provide high-profile leaders to steer them through a new era of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, increasingly the case, globalization – not to mention a pandemic. One national recruiting outfit, Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search, was recently selected by

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

Multimedia

Podcasts

Cultivating the Higher Education Leadership Pipeline

In this brand new episode of ‘Talent Talks,’ Hunt Scanlon Media host Rob Adams is joined by Dr. Rod McDavis, managing principal of AGB Search and former President of Ohio University; and Dr. Nancy Zimpher, Chancellor Emerita, State University of New York. Together, Drs. McDavis and Zimpher founded the AGB Institute for Leadership & Governance

Videos

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.