Gonzaga University Picks Academic Search to Lead Provost Search
November 15, 2018 – Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has been selected by Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, to lead its search for a provost. President and senior consultant L.
Jay Lemons is heading the assignment along with senior consultant Ann Die Hasselmo and consultant Christopher Butler.
This is a new role for Gonzaga, which is revamping its administrative structure. Lizbeth Martin, former provost and vice president for academic affairs at Holy Names University, is serving as interim provost until the search is completed.
The incoming provost must demonstrate an unqualified commitment to foster, promote, enhance and maintain the Jesuit, Catholic and humanistic identity of the university as expressed in its mission, vision, and strategic plan, said Academic Search. In this role, the winning candidate will work collaboratively with the other vice presidents and critical offices in the university to coordinate institutional strategic and intentional planning, fiscal decision making and resource allocation efforts that support the goals of the university.
Desired Qualifications
Gonzaga wants someone with 10 or more years of relevant and progressive academic management experience and demonstrated success, preferably at a vice president for academic affairs or provost level, said the search firm. The role calls for an experienced educational leader who can draw upon the school’s traditions, which celebrate a close-knit community, intellectual rigor and faith that promotes justice and the education of the whole person, said Academic Search. The provost will also be expected to simultaneously work to emphasize inclusivity and diversity in hiring of faculty and staff.
Candidates should have a demonstrated understanding of, appreciation for, and trust in the critical role that student affairs plays on a campus and passion for the ways in which holistic integration of student affairs and academics can be a distinguishing advantage for the institution. Specifically, prospects must show the ability to empower student affairs professionals to use best practices, professional standards and the research literature to inform and support the work of a highly effective program of student affairs and academic support.
Related: Diversified Search Lands Provost for John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Established in 1881 by the Society of Jesus, Gonzaga offers bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and doctoral degrees through its seven colleges – the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business Administration, School of Education, School of Engineering & Applied Science, School of Law, School of Nursing and Human Physiology, and the School of Professional Studies.
Recruiting University Leadership
For over three decades, Academic Search has been a leader in designing and implementing search processes for leaders of colleges and universities across the country. The firm has completed more than 380 executive searches for higher education institutions and related organizations, for roles that have ranged from presidents to provosts to deans.
Academic Search Adds Three Former HBCU Presidents
Academic Search recently expanded its ability to attract top leadership talent to historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) with the addition of the founders of TM2 Education Search to the firm. TM2 was established in 2016 to identify and place candidates in top administrative posts at HBCUs.
Academic Search is currently conducting, or has completed, senior assignments for Westminster College, Xavier University of Louisiana, Washington & Jefferson College, University of Maine, College of Saint Rose, Southern Methodist University, Midwestern State University Texas and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, among others.
Dr. Lemons became president of Academic Search in 2017, after serving for 25 years as a college president in both public and private higher education. A recognized leader in the academy, he has been particularly devoted to supporting leadership talent by working with new college presidents on the faculty of the new presidents’ programs of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the Council of Independent Colleges and through the professional development programs for aspiring leaders of the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI). Dr. Lemons was president of Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA, from 2001 through June of last year, and prior to that served as chancellor of the University of Virginia’s (UVA) College at Wise, UVA’s public liberal arts college in southwestern Virginia
Related: Myers McRae Leads Provost Search for Eastern Kentucky University
Dr. Hasselmo is president emerita of the AALI in Washington, D.C. and of Hendrix College. Prior to becoming the founding president of AALI, she was the managing director of Academic Search Consultation Service. Her earlier career in higher education administration spanned positions from faculty leadership to the presidency. Dr. Hasselmo’s experience includes work at both public and private colleges and universities, and she has held a variety of chairs and presidencies of national higher education boards and associations.
Mr. Butler is responsible for assisting the lead consultants with research functions, preparing written documents for searches, recruiting and evaluation of applicants, and providing assistance to the lead consultants during committee meetings and neutral site interviews. He came to Academic Search from Apex CoVantage, a business solutions firm, in which he worked in the editorial division and supervised prepress work on academic monographs and textbooks.
Related: Spencer Stuart Seeks Provost for American University
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
