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

New Nationwide Active Searches from AGB Search May 7, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 7, 2021 – AGB Search, a national leader in higher education executive search, announces its newest searches with deadlines in May and June: Administrative Leadership Searches The California State University System, based in Long Beach, Calif., seeks its next executive vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. This position marks an exceptional

Kennesaw State University, located in Kennesaw, Ga., seeks its lead researcher for the newly established Radow Institute of Social Equity (RISE).

Kennesaw State University (KSU) seeks a nationally renowned scholar and thought leader to join its newly established Radow Institute for Social Equity (RISE) located in the Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences. RISE’s mission is to examine the challenges of social justice, equity, and economic inequality while developing sustainable solutions that address pressing racial and

The University of the District of Columbia, based in Washington, D.C., has engaged AGB Search to conduct the search for its new associate dean of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) and founding director of the School of Health and Clinical Sciences.

The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) invites nominations and applications for Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) and Founding Director of the College’s new School of Health and Clinical Sciences. The Associate Dean reports to the Dean of the College. UDC’s mission and strategic vision support

Eastern Kentucky University has also selected AGB Search to conduct the search for its next dean of the College of Business.

Norfolk State University, located in Norfolk, Virginia, is pleased to announce its search for the University’s next Dean of the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work. NSU, a Historically Black College/University, seeks nominations and applications for a visionary, strategic and collaborative leader to serve as Dean of the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work.

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

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.