PRESS RELEASES

Funk Associates Podcast Series: “Voices of Leadership” — With Michael Young, Former President of Three Public AAU Universities

Today we have a truly extraordinary guest — someone who has stood at the helm of not one, not two, but three major American research universities. Dr. Michael Young served as President of the University of Utah, then the University of Washington, and most recently Texas A&M University. A distinguished legal scholar by training, he has led institutions totaling tens of thousands of students, managed multi-billion-dollar budgets, and guided universities through some of the most turbulent and transformative years in higher education. Whether navigating pandemic disruptions, questions of free speech on campus, or the evolving role of the research university in society, Dr. Young has been at the center of it all. We’re honored to have him with us today to talk about leadership, legacy, and what it truly means to serve a university community.

Listeners are invited to tune into the series on the firm’s website (funkassociates.com) or on Spotify and Apple podcast platforms. (All earlier episodes are still available on the firm’s website www.funkassociates.com and podcast platforms.)

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          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 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.  ChatGPT reviews our podcast: “If you care about leadership in higher education — university governance, trends in academic institutions, how to lead complex, large-scale organizations — “Voices of Leadership” is generally considered a valuable, credible, and worthwhile resource. Its strength lies in access to high-level leaders and candid discussion about real challenges at major institutions.”