PRESS RELEASES

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. Nuñez brings extensive public leadership experience and a deep understanding of Florida’s higher education landscape to her new role.

Coastal Carolina University has appointed Dr. James J. Winebrake, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, as its new President. Dr. Winebrake is recognized nationally for his leadership in academic innovation and strategic planning.

University of St. Thomas–Houston (UST) has named Dr. Sinda Vanderpool, currently President of St. Mary’s University in Calgary, Alberta, as its next President. Dr. Vanderpool brings to UST a strong record of academic leadership, commitment to mission-driven education, and experience in advancing Catholic higher education.

“These searches reflect the continued trust institutions place in our firm to identify visionary and mission-driven leaders,” said Bill Funk, Founder and CEO of Funk Associates. “We are proud to have partnered with each of these universities and look forward to the continued success of their new Presidents.” With more than four decades of experience and over 430 presidential and chancellor placements, Funk Associates remains the nation’s preeminent search firm for top-tier university leadership.

About Funk Associates:
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, and Deans to colleges and universities around the country. The firm’s consultants have conducted more than 430 searches for college and university Presidents and Chancellors alone. Funk Associates has recently been recognized as one of the “Best Executive Search Firms” by Forbes Magazine for the fourth consecutive year. Seen by many as the most objective, data-based ranking of search firms, the award is the result of an independent survey of peers and clients. In total, more than 36,800 external recruiters and 16,000 HR-managers/hiring managers and candidates were invited to participate in this year’s survey conducted by Statista, Inc., the world-leading statistics portal.