Funk Associates

ABOUT US

Funk Associates is the premier search and consulting firm in higher education. Headquartered in Dallas, the firm and its consultants are known as the leading recruiters of Presidents, Chancellors, Provosts, Vice Presidents and Deans to colleges and universities around the country. The firm’s consultants have conducted approximately 450 searches for college and university Presidents and Chancellors alone. It has been the recipient of many accolades, including selection as one of the “Best Executive Search Firms” by Forbes Magazine (for the fourth consecutive year) and as a “Top Recruiting Firm in America 2025” by Business Insider magazine.

Achievements

Funk Associates

Find a Recruiter

Krisha Creal

Chief of Staff

Robert William Funk

Founder

Willie Funk

President

If you’re looking for a partner to help identify impactful leadership for your institution, please reach out; we stand ready to serve your unique needs.

Funk Associates

Solutions and Expertise

Our firm has long enjoyed the reputation as the firm of first choice’ when colleges and universities have been faced with the challenge of recruiting new senior leadership. We are proud of this legacy and are pleased that so many institutions have placed their trust in us to assist in the attraction of the very best leaders for their campuses and systems.

We believe that our deep experience recruiting very successful leaders is the greatest advantage we contribute to our clients’ searches. We have had the privilege of utilizing our accumulated knowledge in recruiting Presidents, Provosts, Vice Presidents, and Deans for colleges and universities across the nation.

Solutions

Advisory Services
Assessment
Board Development
Executive Search
Flex RPO
Mgmt. Consulting
On-Demand Recruiting
Succession Planning

Industries

Colleges/Universities
Education
Intercollegiate Athletics

Functions

Board/Governance
Executive Appraisals

Funk Associates

News Briefings

Funk Associates Assists Clemson University with the Recruitment of 16th President

Following a national search, Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Kevin Guskiewicz as the 16th president of Clemson University. “The search committee was overwhelmed with the robust and highly qualified candidates who expressed interest in leading our great University,” said search committee chair Cheri Phyfer. “Dr. Guskiewicz rose to the top of a remarkable

Funk Associates Tapped by the University of North Florida to Lead Search for Eighth President

Funk Associates was recently retained by the University of North Florida (UNF) to lead a national search for its eighth president. Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. The presidential search committee, chaired by UNF board of trustees member Jack Boyle, plays a critical role in this process, focusing on

Funk Associates Retained by Clemson University for President Search

Funk Associates has been retained by Clemson University to lead in its search for its 16th president. The university is seeking candidates who possess extraordinary managerial skills, are adept at fund-raising, and are both innovative and visionary. James P. Clements announced his retirement, effective December 31, 2025. “We continue to make outstanding progress in our search

Funk Associates Appoints President

Funk Associates has made a leadership transition with the appointment of Willie Funk as president of the firm. Bill Funk will continue as the firm’s chief executive officer. In this role, he will continue to guide the strategic direction of the firm and will continue his engagement with clients and continue his consultancy on senior leadership

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Funk Associates

Press Releases

Announcement: Funk Associates Podcast Series “Voices of Leadership” – With Jere Morehead President of the University of Georgia

Our listeners have had the opportunity to listen to some of our guests who have been the President at as many as two, three (or in the case of Gordon Gee) as many as five institutions. Today’s guest, Jere Morehead, President of the University of Georgia, has been at the same institution since 1986 when

Funk Associates Announce President Appointment

Dallas, Texas…Funk Associates is pleased to announce a leadership transition that positions the firm for continued growth and success in serving higher education. Willie Funk has been named President of the firm. This is a natural evolution of the firm’s leadership structure, as Willie has been leading an impressive portfolio of senior-level search assignments and

Funk Associates Completes Three University President Searches

DALLAS, TX — June 30, 2025 — Funk Associates, a leading executive search firm specializing in higher education leadership, is pleased to announce the successful completion of three university presidential searches in June: Florida International University (FIU) has selected Jeanette Nuñez, former Lieutenant Governor of the State of Florida, to serve as its next President.

The University of Houston Invites Applications and Nominations for the Position of Dean of the C.T. Bauer College of Business.

The University of Houston (UH) seeks a proven academic leader who can serve as the new Dean of its prestigious C. T. Bauer College of Business. As lead administrator of Bauer College, the Dean will partner with university leadership and engage students, faculty, staff, alums, and other key constituents to continue the college’s trajectory of

Funk Associates

MULTIMEDIA

Funk Associates announce the premier of its podcast series, “Voices of Leadership”. The podcasts are intended to showcase important leaders in higher education discussing contemporary topics. Dr. Gordon Gee, President of West Virginia University, will kick-off the series, with Dr. Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University, and Dr. Mung Chiang, President of Purdue University following consecutively at two week intervals. Additional thought-leaders will be scheduled going forward.

Some of our more recent episodes are below, and Listeners are invited to tune into the series on the firm’s new website or on the Spotify and Apple podcast platforms!

In addition to the podcast series, the firm is announcing its new offering in the recruitment of intercollegiate coaches and athletic directors, and introducing a new website format.

PODCASTS