Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) is exclusively dedicated to higher education institutions. Recognizing the unique challenges of the education landscape, our flexible, flat fee search services cater to any budget level, without compromising on quality. Backed by a team of strong researchers, we take pride in generating robust and diverse candidate pools, ensuring the best-fit talent for every position. We possess an unparalleled ability to reach passive candidates, granting you access to hidden talent gems. We are skilled in filling even the most challenging and niche academic, leadership, and senior staff positions.
Our customer-centric approach sets us apart as our highly responsive team consistently ensures a seamless and efficient recruitment process, tailored to your specific needs. Our clients include 4-year universities, 2-year colleges, public and private institutions, R1 research universities, and liberal arts colleges.
The success of our team is a customer-centric approach and dedication to providing an exceptional search experience by delivering premium services, solutions, candidate pools, and search success.
We offer multiple levels of search services designed to meet your needs and budgets, giving you affordable options for every position level from faculty to senior administration.
We offer a fixed fee rather than a sliding scale or percentage of salary. Eliminated are additional monthly, research, administrative, or hourly/per diem fees, assuring stable fees over a search’s duration.
Enhanced Search:
Our most comprehensive level of service. We are involved in every step of the process from candidate profile development to final reference checks. Four levels of vetting include candidate review, social media and Google background check, candidate questionnaire and prescreen phone interview. Interview coordination and reference checks included. Placement guarantee included.
Full Search:
A slightly more economical search service including all items in the Enhanced Search including the four levels of vetting (candidate review, social media and Google check, candidate questionnaire and prescreen phone interview). Interview coordination and reference checks not included. Placement guarantee included.
Candidate Generator:
Our most economical level provides all stages included in the initial work to build the candidate pool. It includes three of the four levels of vetting (candidate review, social media and Google check, candidate questionnaire) including salary verification. Search committees review qualified candidates, conduct video interviews, identify finalists, and make the hire. Prescreen phone interview and written narrative, reference checks or interview coordination not included. Placement guarantee not included.
Faculty Hire:
Developed specifically for single or multi-hire faculty searches and offers the ability to hire multiple faculty from a single search effort. This level provides all stages included in the initial work to build the candidate pool and two of the four levels of vetting (candidate review, social media and Google check along with salary verification. Search committees review qualified candidates, conduct video interviews, identify finalists, and make the hire. ACES maintains weekly progress meetings throughout the search process. Candidate questionnaire, prescreen phone interview and written narrative, reference checks or interview coordination not included. Placement guarantee not included.
After an extensive national search process, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has placed Chris Ament as chief information officer of Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). Jennifer Muller, managing partner, led the assignment. Mr. Ament, currently CIO at Ohio University, will join the CNM community and begin serving in this leadership role starting June 15. “I’m confident
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been retained by Cleary University to lead in its search for a new CFO. Jennifer Muller, managing partner, is leading the assignment. Cleary recently rolled out its new strategic plan, The Fourth Wave, and the plan presents an exciting opportunity for a CFO to lead financial transformation within a high-growth education
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been retained to recruit the next associate vice president of human resources at the University of Central Missouri (UCM). Jennifer Muller, managing partner, is leading the assignment. Reporting to the CFO and serving as a member of the president’s strategic leadership team, the AVP of HR will play a vital role in
Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) has been retained by Central New Mexico Community College to lead in its search for a chief information officer. Jennifer Muller, managing partner, is leading the assignment. This role is designed for an experienced CIO with strong business acumen, who is ready to lead at scale, shape enterprise direction, and leave
(May 7, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, is pleased to announce the successful placement of Gwendolen M. Pechan, securing the role as Vice President for Information Services and Chief Information Officer at St. Mary’s University. Gwendolen “Gwen” Pechan
(May 7, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next General Counsel at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt). Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. The General Counsel will serve as the University’s chief
(May 7, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, is pleased to announce the successful placement of Chris Ament, securing the role as the next Chief Information Officer at the Central New Mexico Community College. Chris Ament is currently the
(May 7, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the Associate Dean of Nursing at Bay de Noc Community College (Bay College). Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search. The Associate Dean of Nursing will join a
(April 17, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, is pleased to announce the successful placement of Jeffrey Glatstein, securing the role as Chief Information & Technology Officer at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt). Jeffrey Glatstein is a