About Us

AGB Search offers executive search, interim search, and compensation evaluation services exclusively for higher education institutions. Founded by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) in 2010, we have an unmatched understanding of the qualifications critical for effective higher education leadership.Our affiliation with AGB ensures clients receive access to valued governance resources and training, in addition to our highly-regarded search services.

AGB Search’s Executive Search Consultants have extensive experience in higher education search, and many have served in college and university leadership positions. We have a team of Associates and Research Associates who expertly manage the search and vetting process, and our staff serves as critical support to the search professionals. Our track record provides institutional search teams with the confidence that their search will be successful.

Our deep expertise, coupled with our commitment to our work, results in successful outcomes for both clients and candidates. We have completed more than 750 search assignments, more than 250 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 750 search assignments, more than 250 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.

Solutions
  • Anti-Bias Training
  • Behavioral and Cognitive Assessment
  • Compensation Consulting
  • Executive Search
  • Interim
  • Leadership Consulting
  • Presidential Transition Support
Industries
  • Associations
  • Colleges/Universities
  • Foundations
  • Higher Education
  • Non-Profits
Functions
  • Administration & Finance
  • Advancement
  • Advancement & Foundations
  • Community College Leaders
  • Foundations
  • Presidents & Chancellors
  • Provosts & Deans

News Briefings

AGB Search Recruits CFO for the University of Alaska

Chief financial officers continue to be in high demand. Finding them is keeping many of the nation’s top recruitment operations busier than ever. In recent months, search firms of all varieties have placed CFOs at various companies and universities. Washington, D.C.-based recruitment firm AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, recently placed Luke Fulp as

AGB Search Recruits President for Princeton Theological Seminary

Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, recently placed Jonathan Lee Walton as the eight president of Princeton Theological Seminary. He succeeds M. Craig Barnes, who has served as Princeton Seminary’s president since January 2013. Consultants Loren Anderson and Shannon McCambridge spearheaded the assignment. Princeton Seminary community members involved in the search speak of Dr. Walton’s appointment

AGB Search Assists Gonzaga University in Finding CHRO

A number of universities have recently turned to search firms to find new chief human resources officers. Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, recently placed Ray Kliewer as Gonzaga University’s inaugural vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer. Executive search consultants Alan Crist and Jean Kim led the assignment. “I would like to thank

AGB Search Seeks New President for Princeton Theological Seminary

Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search, which specializes in higher education leadership assignments, was recently called in by Princeton Theological Seminary to lead its search for a new president. Consultants Loren Anderson and Shannon McCambridge are spearheading the assignment. The seminary is deeply committed to its Presbyterian identity and heritage. Credentials as an ordained minister in the Presbyterian

Press Releases

AGB Search Welcomes Matthew Kilcoyne As Principal

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 11, 2023 – AGB Search, a national leader in higher education executive search, has announced the appointment of Matthew Kilcoyne as the firm’s newest principal. Kilcoyne brings extensive higher education executive search experience to the firm, having served as consultant, speaker and panelist in the field for over 20 years. Kilcoyne’s executive

AGB Search Announces Recent Leadership Appointments

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 23, 2022 – AGB Search, a national leader in higher education executive search, is pleased to announce the following recent appointments: Benedict College has appointed Akilah Carter-Francique as the new dean of education. Carter-Francique joins Benedict College after serving as executive director for the Institute for the Study of Sport, Society and

AGB Search Explores The Role of Chief Diversity Officers in Higher Education – Voices from the Academy episode features Rider University Chief Diversity Officer Barbara J. Lawrence

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 20, 2022 – AGB Search, a national leader in higher education executive search, examines the challenges and successes of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts at colleges and universities with the newest installment of its video series Voices from the Academy. The series features higher education leaders who are meeting today’s challenges

AGB Search Announces New Leadership Searches

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 6, 2022 – Higher education executive search leader AGB Search announces its newest administrative and academic searches with deadlines in April and May: Administrative Leadership Searches Emporia State University, located in Emporia, Kan., invites nominations and applications for the position of president. Managing Principal Rod McDavis and Executive Search Consultants Beverly Warren

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

Blogs

Human Resources in Higher Education: A Renewed Appreciation

Videos

AGB Search

Voices from the Academy Video Series

President Joan Gabel, University of Minnesota
Dr. M. Brian Blake (Part 1), George Washington University; COVID, Black Lives Matter
Dr. M. Brian Blake (Part 2); George Washington University; Enrollment & Campus Engagement
Dr. M. Brian Blake (Part 3), George Washington University; The Role of Provost
President Keith Whitfield, University of Nevada, Las Vegas