About Us

Greenwood Asher & Associates (GA&A) is a full-service, retained search firm founded in 2004 by Dr. Jan Greenwood and Dr. Betty Asher, who have both served as tenured professors and university presidents. They have shared their deep understanding of the organizational structures and challenges within higher education with the GA&A team. This shared knowledge has provided a solid foundation for our continued growth through evidence-based process and commitment to diversity. Their pioneering spirit has created opportunities for hundreds of leaders during the past 30 years.

GA&A believes that successful searches are accomplished through trusting relationships with clients and candidates, and by offering comprehensive and customizable search processes that deliver effective outcomes. As a result, GA&A has a notable repeat client rate – a testament to our acuity, expertise, and longevity.

GA&A is now one of the premier education executive search firms within the United States.  Our results-driven team of highly trained consultants possesses the specialized skillset to both recruit future leaders and deliver prompt, clear communications to clients and stakeholders.

In 2020, GA&A joined forces with Kelly® Education. We now leverage the strength of our parent company to offer strategic search partnerships throughout the continuum of education.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Solutions And Expertise

Executive Search:
At Greenwood Asher & Associates, we approach executive search a little differently than most. We believe in the power of partnerships and collaboration, combined with evidence-based best practices and experience, to design a customized search for the unique needs and characteristics of each institution we serve. By providing concierge-level service and support to our clients and candidates, we are able to identify and recruit high-quality, diverse, executive talent. Our comprehensive referencing allows the search committee to confidently assess candidates and select the best person to lead the institution in fulfilling its mission.

Key positions we support:

  • Presidents
  • Chancellors
  • Provosts
  • Deans
  • Vice Presidents
  • Directors
  • Diversity Officers
  • Department Chairpersons
  • Research Leaders

Coaching & Assessment:
Educational organizations know that learning never ends. For true leaders, there’s always room for self-discovery and growth. We customize our services to develop senior and emerging leaders for long-term success through coaching partnerships and use of objective, predictive, and analytical tools.

  • Improving leadership insight, professional performance, and personal satisfaction through executive coaching
  • Providing results-oriented workshops and retreats•
  • Mediating and resolving conflict and dysfunctional cultures

Identifying the right leader often begins with an accurate and reliable assessment of current leadership competencies. During the selection process, we use a highly effective assessment tool that measures behaviors and maps them to a relevant competency model. Considered in combination with other information, valid and reliable assessment data supports a more informed selection process.

Strategic Services:
High performing leaders constantly evaluate their organization’s performance and potential to ensure growth and sustainability. We support our clients by facilitating strategic planning, conducting academic program/organizational reviews, and benchmarking policies and practices. We partner with institutions to design a planning process that best matches the culture and needs of the institution. Our work includes the use of evidence-based approaches, assessment of current and desired status through multiple mechanisms, grassroots engagement, development of measurement dashboards, and leadership development for those involved with strategic planning implementation.

Solutions
  • Assessment
  • Executive Search
  • Mgmt. Consulting
Functions
  • CEO/President

News Briefings

Greenwood Asher & Associates Seeking President for Milwaukee Area Technical College

Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has been selected by Milwaukee Area Technical College to conduct a national search for their next college president. Tracey Weldon, Jim Johnsen, and Itza Walters are leading the assignment. “We are honored to have been selected by the Milwaukee Area Technical College board to support their

Greenwood Asher & Associates Seeking Provost for George Mason University

George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, has retained Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates to lead in its search for a new executive vice president and provost. Julie Holley and Lois Stetson are spearheading the assignment for the search firm. This role offers a unique opportunity to be a part of a dynamic

Virginia Tech Selects Greenwood Asher & Associates to Find New CFO

Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has been called in by Virginia Tech to lead in its search for a new CFO. Denice Perdue and Jeremy Duff are leading the assignment. The CFO has fiduciary responsibility for university funds, business processes, and serves as the principal financial officer for the university. They

Greenwood Asher & Associates Places President and CEO for University of the District of Columbia

After an extensive, seven month search, Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood Asher & Associates has placed Maurice D. Edington as the new president and CEO of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). Marion Frenche, associate vice president of executive search and practice leader for diversity, equity, and inclusion, led the assignment

Press Releases

Greenwood Asher & Associates Leading Nationwide Search for President of Milwaukee Area Technical College

Miramar Beach, FL – February 26, 2024 – Greenwood Asher & Associates, a full-service executive search firm, has been retained by Milwaukee Area Technical College to conduct a national search for their next college president. As Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College

Greenwood Asher & Associates’ Vice President of Executive Search Featured on National Media for her Role in the Oxford Dictionary of African American English

Miramar Beach, Florida – July 17, 2023 – Greenwood Asher & Associates’ vice president of executive search, Dr. Tracey L. Weldon, was recently featured on national media for her role as an executive editor and advisory board member of the forthcoming Oxford Dictionary of African American English. The dictionary, a collaborative effort between Oxford Languages

Greenwood Asher & Associates Expands Executive Team to Support Growing Demand, Serve Diverse Base of Higher Ed Clients

MIRAMAR BEACH, FL (February 1, 2023) – Greenwood Asher & Associates (GA&A) today announced the appointment of four new vice presidents and experienced higher education and executive search professionals as senior members of its leadership team, alongside GA&A vice president and managing director Susanne Griffin who leads the firm. The expanded leadership team – which

Jan Greenwood, Marion Frenche Recognized by SIA as 2021 DE&I Influencers

(June 2021) Jan Greenwood, co-owner and partner at Greenwood/Asher & Associates, LLC and Marion Frenche, practice manager at the woman-owned executive search, consulting and training firm, were recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts, (SIA) as two of 2021’s #Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion influencers. Ms. Greenwood and Ms. Frenche’s critical work in diversifying leadership in higher education,

Mary Pedersen Named Colorado State University Provost and Executive Vice President

(July 2, 2020) Mary Pedersen, a distinguished educator and veteran administrator, has been named to serve as the next Provost and Executive Vice President at Colorado State University. Pedersen, who comes to CSU from Cal Poly where she most recently served as Interim Provost, will assume her duties at CSU on Aug. 1. The Provost