Harris Search Associates

About Us

Harris Search Associates is a leading global executive search and board advisory consulting firm. Modeled after the first premier management-consulting firms, in 1997, we launched our practice exclusively focused on executive search and management consulting of executive leadership to support the growth of the foremost universities, research parks, institutes, academic medical centers, children’s hospitals and healthcare organizations driving global innovation and discovery. Based in Columbus Ohio, we have additional regional offices in San Francisco and Dallas. We have successfully completed over 1100 assignments.

We are the only national firm that combines the recruiting and leadership assessment expertise of consultants from the largest, most well-recognized retained search organizations with highly respected, former university Presidents, Provosts, Deans, Vice Presidents, and senior administrators from across the country.

At the highest level, retained executive search is a combination of both art and science. We are naturally curious, listen intently, and fervent in our aggressive recruitment of talent. Analytics, assessment tools, artificial intelligence, and the efficient use of data help inform our judgment, but skillful, adept search counsel guides the relationship between each client and our firm.

Each year, our business is represented by over 70% from repeat client institutions. Over the life of our firm we have successfully completed 94% of engagements. Assignments are consistently completed within 110 days, utilizing a process that blends efficiency with thorough due diligence. Average tenure of candidates placed leads the industry at 4.6 years.

Recent Placements

Harris Search Associates

Our Team

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Our diverse team of seasoned consultants combine experience from the most well-recognized, global retained executive search organizations with expertise from successful careers in academic administration.

Harris Search Associates

Solutions And Expertise

Modelled after the first premier management consulting firms, our practice remains solely focused on the distinctive needs of higher education. We recognize the transformative impact higher education plays in the growth of our country and understand leadership of an academic enterprise is more challenging than it has ever been, requiring an increasingly wide range of skills to balance the diverse missions of research, education, and service.

The responsibility to serve as higher education executive search counsel to the foremost institutions that educate and train the next generation of scholars, creators, leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators remains an honor in every search assignment.

At the highest level, retained executive search remains a combination of both art and science. Analytics, assessment tools, the efficient use of data, and a reach that’s truly global informs our judgment; but, in the end, creation of a deep sense of partnership with mutual accountability, followed by specific, actionable recommendations, is paramount to our shared success.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss the future executive leadership needs at your institution.

Solutions
  • Executive Coaching
  • Executive Search
  • Leadership Consulting
  • Leadership Develop.
  • Mgmt. Consulting
Industries
  • Aerospace/Defense
  • Colleges/Universities
  • Government
  • Healthcare Services
Functions
  • Board/Governance
  • CEO/President/Executive Director
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Finance/Accounting
  • General Management
  • GM/Operations
  • Government
  • Human Resources
  • Information/Digital
  • Informational/Digital
  • Legal/Compliance
  • Marketing & Sales

Harris Search Associates

News Briefings

Harris Search Associates Assist Simmons University with Search for New Dean

After a comprehensive search process, Harris Search Associates assisted Simmons University in the recruitment of Ammina Kothari to serve as the new dean of the Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Jeffrey Harris and Jon Schwantes led the assignment. The appointment of Dr. Kothari follows an expansive search which included vetting more than 60 candidates.

Harris Search Associates Assists Johnson County Community College with Senior HR Search

Executive recruiters are in hot pursuit of chief human resource officers and other senior-level HR leaders across the nation. Why such pent-up demand for top flight HR experts? Corporate leaders want HR leaders who are sophisticated, proactive and strategic-minded, with strong business savvy to drive their people capabilities like they would a P&L, according to

Harris Search Associates Seeking Top HR Leader for Johnson County Community College

Jeffrey Harris and Ed Christ of Harris Search Associates have been called in by Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS, to lead its search for a vice president of human resources. The search firm seeks a dynamic, energetic, visionary leader who fosters innovation and collaboration in a shared governance environment. This senior leader

Harris Search Associates Recruits Founding Dean for Xavier University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine

Following an extensive national search that included a highly competitive candidate pool from across the country, Harris Search Associates has placed Steven Halm as founding Dean of the Xavier University proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine, which slated to become the nation’s first Jesuit osteopathic medicine school opening its doors to students in 2027. “Xavier is gaining a

Harris Search Associates

Press Releases

Harris Search Associates recruits Dr. Ammina Kothari as Dean of the Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Science at Simmons University

Following an extensive national search that included a highly competitive, diverse candidate pool from across the country, we are pleased to announce the recruitment of Dr. Ammina Kothari as Dean of the Gwen Iffil School of Media, Humanities, and Social Science at Simmons University. The appointment of Dr. Kothari follows an expansive search which included

Harris Search Associates recruits Dr. Samantha Langley-Turnbaugh as inaugural Vice President for Academic Research at the University of Dayton

Following an extensive national search that included a highly competitive candidate pool from across the country, we are pleased to announce the recruitment of Dr. Samantha Langley-Turnbaugh as the inaugural Vice President for Academic Research at the University of Dayton. University of Dayton announces Dr. Samantha Langley-Turnbaugh as inaugural Vice President for Academic Research Dr.

Harris Search Associates recruits Dr. Kyle Dunno as Department Chair, Department of Packaging and Graphic Media Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology

Following an extensive national search, we are pleased to announce the recruitment of Dr. Kyle Dunno as Department Chair, Department of Packaging and Graphic Media Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Dr. Dunno joined the RIT Packaging Science Department in the Fall of 2018. Prior to joining RIT, he worked as the Technical

Harris Search Associates recruits Kate O’Connor as Dean of the College of Engineering Technology at Ferris State University

Following an extensive national search that included a highly competitive candidate pool from across the country, we are pleased to announce the recruitment of Kate O’Connor as Dean of the College of Engineering Technology at Ferris State University. Dr. O’Connor joined Ferris State and has served as the interim dean since July 2023. Prior to

Harris Search Associates recruits Christina McGee as Vice President of Human Resources at Johnson County Community College

Following an extensive national search that included a highly competitive candidate pool from across the country, we are pleased to announce the recruitment of Christina McGee as Vice President of Human Resources at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) in Overland Park, KS. Christina most recently served as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Kansas City