Funk Associates Retained by Troy University to Assist Chancellor Search
October 9, 2026 – Funk Associates has been retained by Troy University to lead in its search for a new chancellor. The Troy University board of trustees has appointed a 14-member search committee. Gibson Vance, president pro tempore of the board of trustees, will chair the committee, which includes representatives from the board of trustees, senior administration, faculty, the student government association, community leaders and alumni. The search follows Jack Hawkins, Jr.’s announcement that he will retire after nearly four decades as chancellor. He will step down from the role on June 30, 2027.
“Troy University is a special institution with a unique culture,” Dr. Hawkins said. “It has been a tremendous honor for my wife, Janice, and I to be a part of this community for nearly 40 years. I am confident the search committee and board of trustees will identify the right leader to build on Troy’s success and guide its continued growth.”
“Funk Associates and its consultants bring four decades of experience in higher education executive searches, including searches for university presidents, provosts, vice presidents and deans,” Troy University said. “The firm will assist the committee in identifying and evaluating candidates.”
“Selecting Troy University’s next chancellor is one of the most important responsibilities entrusted to the board of trustees,” Mr. Vance said. “We are seeking a leader who will build on Troy’s accomplishments during Dr. Hawkins’ 37 years as chancellor, advance its mission and guide the University into its next chapter. We welcome the perspectives our committee members will bring to this process.”
The chancellor serves as Troy University’s chief executive officer, reporting to and working in close partnership with the board of trustees. The chancellor provides strategic direction for three Alabama campuses, TROY Online, and a worldwide network of support sites and partner locations and leads an enterprise of more than 2,500 faculty and staff.
Those applying for this role most have significant, progressive senior leadership experience in higher education, government, the military or a large complex organization, with a demonstrated record of financial stewardship across a multi-site enterprise.
Troy University is a public university in Troy, Alabama, serving undergraduate and graduate students through its main campus and additional locations. The university offers programs across a wide range of academic fields, including business, education, nursing and health sciences, communication, arts and sciences, and public service.
Serving Colleges and Universities
Funk Associates is an executive search firm specializing in higher education executive recruitment. The firm has recruited chancellors/presidents for two-thirds of all public AAU universities. The firm has also recruited presidents or chancellors to more than one-half of U.S. News & World Report’s recently published “Top 30 National Universities.” Over time, it has conducted more than 425 searches for college and university presidents and chancellors as well as an even greater number of provosts, deans, and various vice presidents.
Related: Funk Associates Assists the University of North Florida with the Recruitment of Eighth President
The firm has been recognized by the Women’s Network of the American Council on Education (ACE) for its work in recruiting women and minorities to senior levels of higher education. Notably, the search firm has broken the color and/or gender line in president searches at more than 40 institutions around the country, making it one of the most highly sought after search firms across the sector.
R. William “Bill” Funk, founder and CEO, is a widely respected search consultant serving higher education. He has been called the “guru of higher education recruiting” by The Chronicle of Higher Education and is listed as one of the 200 best executive recruiters in the world in The Global 200 Executive Recruiters: An Essential Guide to the Best Recruiters in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America (Jossey-Bass, Inc.). Prior to founding his own firm 16 years ago, Mr. Funk was the national practice leader of the education practice and office managing director of the Dallas office for Korn Ferry International for more than a decade.
Willie Funk is president of the firm. He brings to the position both deep experience in executive recruitment and a thoughtful, client-centered approach that reflects the values of Funk Associates. Mr. Funk has been with the firm for a total of 13 years and has served as the firm’s managing vice president for the past five years.
Related: Funk Associates Recruits Provost for Clemson University
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
