Harris Search Associates Helps Recruit Provost for Ferris University
April 28, 2026 – Harris Search Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Sean Lancaster as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Ferris University. Ed Christ led the assignment. He succeeds Dr. Bobby Fleischman, who has served in the role since 2020. “Dr. Lancaster is passionate about creating environments where all students, staff, and faculty can thrive, building an equitable academic community and preparing people for success,” Ferris State president Bill Pink said. “That fits perfectly with the vision of this university since its founding and where we are headed as an opportunity university.”
Mr. Lancaster has served at Grand Valley State University since 2000, most recently as associate vice president for academic affairs, where he oversaw accreditation, assessment and strategic planning initiatives. Prior to that role, he spent six years as a department chair within the former College of Education, leading two departments: Special Education, Foundations, and Technology; and Literacy and Technology. Throughout his career, Mr. Lancaster has advanced inclusive excellence by aligning continuous improvement, student success, and equity across programs, policies, and institutional systems. Dr. Lancaster is also a founding member of the Michigan Teacher Education Network, a collaborative community dedicated to creating a more just educational experience by supporting teachers, educators, and partners, with a focus on ending educational inequity.
As the provost and vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Lancaster serves as the university’s chief academic officer, responsible for leading academic programs and faculty affairs. The role includes guiding curriculum development, overseeing strategic academic planning, and advancing innovative degree initiatives, while reporting directly to the president.
“I saw a community deeply committed to students and to one another, with strong programs and a clear sense of purpose,” Dr. Lancaster said. “I am excited to join Ferris State and to work alongside faculty and staff to align our strengths, support student success, and build on that momentum.”
Related: Harris Search Associates Assists Simmons University with Search for New Dean
Ferris University, located in Big Rapids, Michigan, is a public institution known for its strong focus on career-oriented education and hands-on learning. Founded in 1884 by Woodbridge N. Ferris, who later became the governor of Michigan and a U.S. senator, the university began as the Big Rapids Industrial School with a mission to provide practical education for all. Today, Ferris State University offers over 190 academic programs, including associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, as well as doctoral programs in fields such as pharmacy, optometry, and education.
Finding Higher Education Leaders
Harris Search Associates, an IIC Partners member firm, is a global higher education executive search and board advisory consulting firm with 44 offices in 33 countries worldwide. The firm’s higher education executive search practice is focused on identifying and attracting leaders to support the growth of clients in the areas of research, science, engineering, academic medicine, and healthcare enterprises. Clients include leading universities, research parks, institutes, academic medical centers, and healthcare organizations driving global innovation and discovery. Founded in 1997, Harris Search Associates was modeled after the first premier management consulting firms, in addition to its Ohio headquarters, the firm has regional offices in San Francisco and Dallas.
Harris Search Associates Tapped by Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) recently selected Harris Search Associates to lead its chair, department of electrical and computer engineering technology search. Jeffrey Harris and Peter Rosenthal are leading the assignment. RIT seeks a dynamic, visionary leader who fosters innovation and collaboration in a shared governance environment to lead its vibrant educational, research, and service activities while ensuring efficient operations of administrative functions. Preferred candidates will have academic preparation and professional experience enabling them to support and grow the department’s undergraduate and graduate programs both within RIT and in industry along with a documented record of teaching, research/scholarship, and service experience commensurate with the qualifications for tenure at the academic rank of full professor.
Jeffrey Harris is the founder of the firm and leads the higher education, academic medicine, and healthcare administration practices. Prior to establishing the firm in 1997, Mr. Harris worked five years for a leading retained executive search firm where he concentrated on senior assignments on behalf of leading engineering, research, and health sciences clients. He is the global leader of the IIC Partners higher education/academic medicine practice, and from 2010 to 2013, was appointed to the board of IIC Partners as vice chair for the Americas.
Mr. Christ is an executive search professional and human resources consultant with more than 20 years of experience in non-profit and for-profit industries, including higher education, healthcare/life sciences, engineering and consulting, industrial/manufacturing, and financial services. His executive search experience includes research and recruitment from the C-level executive to the specialized technical level.
Related: Harris Search Associates Recruits CIO for Northwest State Community College
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
