About Us

Greenwood Asher & Associates (GA&A) is a full-service, retained search firm founded in 2004 by Dr. Jan Greenwood and Dr. Betty Asher, who have both served as tenured professors and university presidents. They have shared their deep understanding of the organizational structures and challenges within higher education with the GA&A team. This shared knowledge has provided a solid foundation for our continued growth through evidence-based process and commitment to diversity. Their pioneering spirit has created opportunities for hundreds of leaders during the past 30 years.

GA&A believes that successful searches are accomplished through trusting relationships with clients and candidates, and by offering comprehensive and customizable search processes that deliver effective outcomes. As a result, GA&A has a notable repeat client rate – a testament to our acuity, expertise, and longevity.

GA&A is now one of the premier education executive search firms within the United States.  Our results-driven team of highly trained consultants possesses the specialized skillset to both recruit future leaders and deliver prompt, clear communications to clients and stakeholders.

In 2020, GA&A joined forces with Kelly® Education. We now leverage the strength of our parent company to offer strategic search partnerships throughout the continuum of education.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Solutions And Expertise

Executive Search:
At Greenwood Asher & Associates, we approach executive search a little differently than most. We believe in the power of partnerships and collaboration, combined with evidence-based best practices and experience, to design a customized search for the unique needs and characteristics of each institution we serve. By providing concierge-level service and support to our clients and candidates, we are able to identify and recruit high-quality, diverse, executive talent. Our comprehensive referencing allows the search committee to confidently assess candidates and select the best person to lead the institution in fulfilling its mission.

Key positions we support:

  • Presidents
  • Chancellors
  • Provosts
  • Deans
  • Vice Presidents
  • Directors
  • Diversity Officers
  • Department Chairpersons
  • Research Leaders

Coaching & Assessment:
Educational organizations know that learning never ends. For true leaders, there’s always room for self-discovery and growth. We customize our services to develop senior and emerging leaders for long-term success through coaching partnerships and use of objective, predictive, and analytical tools.

  • Improving leadership insight, professional performance, and personal satisfaction through executive coaching
  • Providing results-oriented workshops and retreats•
  • Mediating and resolving conflict and dysfunctional cultures

Identifying the right leader often begins with an accurate and reliable assessment of current leadership competencies. During the selection process, we use a highly effective assessment tool that measures behaviors and maps them to a relevant competency model. Considered in combination with other information, valid and reliable assessment data supports a more informed selection process.

Strategic Services:
High performing leaders constantly evaluate their organization’s performance and potential to ensure growth and sustainability. We support our clients by facilitating strategic planning, conducting academic program/organizational reviews, and benchmarking policies and practices. We partner with institutions to design a planning process that best matches the culture and needs of the institution. Our work includes the use of evidence-based approaches, assessment of current and desired status through multiple mechanisms, grassroots engagement, development of measurement dashboards, and leadership development for those involved with strategic planning implementation.

Solutions
  • Assessment
  • Executive Search
  • Mgmt. Consulting
Functions
  • CEO/President

News Briefings

Greenwood Asher & Associates Seeks New Leader for Stillman College

Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates is seeking a new president for Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, AL. Cynthia Warrick, the first woman to hold the position at the college, will retire from the presidency at the end of her contract term on June 30. The search is being led by Marion Frenche

Greenwood Asher & Associates Retained by the University of the District of Columbia to Find New Leader

The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) has chosen Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Ronald Mason will step down from his position at the end of June. Marion Frenche, search manager/practice leader of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and senior

Greenwood Asher & Associates Adds Four Professionals to Senior Leadership Team

Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates (GA&A) has expanded with the additions of Robert Caret, Jeremy Duff, Jim Johnsen, and Tracey Weldon as new vice presidents. These experienced higher education and executive search professionals become senior members of its leadership team, alongside vice president and managing director Susanne Griffin who leads

Greenwood / Asher & Associates Recruits CHRO for the University of Wisconsin–Madison

Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood /Asher & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Patrick Sheehan as associate vice chancellor and chief human resources officer for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Vice chancellor for finance and administration Rob Cramer says Sheehan brings a variety of leadership experiences, extensive knowledge about the university, solid existing relationships with

Press Releases

Clifford Porter Joins Norfolk State University as VP of University Advancement

Mr. Clifford Porter, J.D. will join Norfolk State University in the role of Vice President for University Advancement. As the University’s Chief Giving Officer, Mr. Porter will grow NSU’s private giving portfolio and lead the University’s forthcoming capital campaign.  Mr. Porter comes to NSU from Bethune-Cookman University where he has served as Vice President for

Jason Glass Named Kentucky’s Next Education Commissioner

(July 10, 2020) The Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) announced July 10 that Jason Glass will be Kentucky’s next commissioner of education. “Dr. Glass was identified by the board as our next commissioner following a very extensive and productive national search,” said Lu Young, chair of the Kentucky Board of Education. “Throughout this process I have

Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc. Leading Search for New UAFS Chancellor

FORT SMITH, AK, December 13, 2018 – A search committee for the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith met for the first time on Wednesday to discuss its plan to help find a chancellor. Margaret Tanner, associate provost for academic affairs at the Fort Smith campus and search committee chair, said the members discussed the

Search Firm Selected to Help Find USF President

MIRAMAR BEACH, FL, October 9, 2018 – The consultant firm that will assist in recruiting USF President Judy Genshaft’s successor was approved by the Board of Trustees in a meeting Friday. Search Committee Chair Les Muma and Vice Chair Rhea Law reviewed four proposals from Executive Search Firms. At the BOT meeting, Muma proposed Greenwood/Asher

University of Illinois Searches for Chief Diversity Officer

CHAMPAIGN, IL, March 27. 2018 — The University of Illinois is in the midst of a national search for its first chief diversity officer. An outside team recommended the position last year after reviewing all the university’s programs that promote diversity, the News-Gazette reported. The campus spends about $60 million to promote diversity and inclusion, the team’s