Isaacson, Miller Helps Recruit 28th President for Texas A&M
June 25, 2026 – Boston-based Isaacson, Miller has assisted in the recruitment of Susan Ballabina as the 28th president of Texas A&M. Andy Lee and Julie Filizetti, led search with Raul Bernal and Luciano Zuniga, and Madeline Fitzpatrick. The members of the Board of Regents conducted a national search that produced a strong pool of candidates. Dr. Ballabina emerged through that process based on her experience, her understanding of the institution and her ability to lead at scale.
“Our unanimous vote reflects a clear sense of direction for Texas A&M,” said board chairman Robert L. Albritton. “There is strong momentum already building behind Dr. Ballabina across the university and among those who care deeply about its future, and we are confident she will carry that forward.”
“Texas A&M has always been defined by its mission and the people who serve it,” said chancellor Glenn Hegar. “Leading this university requires an understanding of that responsibility and a willingness to keep the focus on what matters most. Dr. Ballabina has shown throughout her career that she understands that, and that is a big part of why she is the right choice to lead Texas A&M forward.”
Dr. Ballabina previously served as executive vice chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, where she has helped lead systemwide operations, advance strategic initiatives and support the work of the A&M System’s universities and agencies across Texas. Throughout her career, she has held senior leadership roles spanning the university and the A&M System, including chief of staff to the president, senior vice president for academic and strategic collaborations, and deputy vice chancellor and chief operating officer for Texas A&M AgriLife. Her work has included strengthening statewide programs, building partnerships, supporting research and educational initiatives, and coordinating large-scale efforts such as the Healthy South Texas initiative and the disaster recovery following Hurricane Harvey.
“Texas A&M has a strong foundation, a clear mission, and passionate faculty, staff, students, and former students who care deeply about its future,” Dr. Ballabina said. “I’m grateful for the trust placed in me by the regents and Chancellor Hegar, and I look forward to working alongside the Aggie community to build on that strength and move the university forward.”
Texas A&M opened in 1876 as the state’s first public institution of higher learning. Today, it stands as a research-intensive flagship university, one of only 17 institutions to hold the triple land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant designation. Texas A&M’s main campus in College Station is home to more than 66,000 students. Another 5,400 students are at branch campuses in Galveston and Qatar and at the School of Law, Higher Education Center at McAllen and Health Science Center locations across Texas. The flagship has an annual budget in excess of $2.1 billion. Its athletic teams compete in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference (SEC). The university has more than 522,000 former students who live, work and serve in more than 100 countries throughout the world.
Nationally Recognized Search Firm
A nationally recognized search firm focused on recruiting transformational leaders for mission-driven organizations, Isaacson, Miller has conducted thousands of placements over more than three decades. More than half of the firm’s work has been in academia, involving university presidents, college chancellors and deans. The firm has filled top leadership posts at Wellesley College, Washington State University, Miami University, Howard University, Bowdoin College, Dartmouth, NYU, Virginia State University, and the University of North Carolina, among others.
Related: Isaacson, Miller Recruits Chief Information Officer for the Smithsonian Institution
John Isaacson, the firm’s chair, founded Isaacson, Miller in 1982. He has led searches in many areas of the firm’s practice. Mr. Isaacson has helped the firm develop its cumulative knowledge of the craft of search and has attended, with increasing interest, to the missionary purposes of institutions, the political and economic disciplines of specialized markets, and the emotional and intellectual learnings that leaders acquire in a committed working life.
Mr. Lee brings to his practice more than 20 years of leadership in the non-profit, government, and technology sectors. He draws upon his expertise in education reform, healthcare, the environment, and consulting services to identify forward-thinking leaders and help his clients make informed human capital decisions. A member of the Isaacson, Miller team since 2017, he has spent his entire career aiding mission-driven organizations.
Ms. Filizetti leads Isaacson, Miller’s San Francisco office. She focuses primarily on higher education leadership roles in public and private institutions, including presidents, provosts, vice presidents, deans and directors. She also conducts searches in a range of areas, including academic medicine, training and development, advancement, research, and technology. Since coming to Isaacson, Miller in 2007, Ms. Filizetti has developed strong relationships with many clients who turn to her for her ability to adapt to an organization’s needs and grow their leadership capacity.
Mr. Bernal joined Isaacson, Miller as a senior associate in 2021. His experience in higher education includes roles in career services, enrollment management, and executive education and training. Most recently, Mr. Bernal served as director of career and professional success for liberal arts students at the University of New Hampshire. In addition to his work in higher education, he brings knowledge and experience working with non-profits, foundations, and international development agencies.
Mr. Zuniga joined Isaacson, Miller as an associate in 2023. He is passionate about supporting mission-driven organizations and building inclusive pools. Mr. Zuniga has found senior leaders and board members across a variety of organizations, including higher education, philanthropy, and advocacy. Prior to joining the firm, his work focused on supporting first-generation, low-income students, both as a graduate student and in nonprofit organizations.
Related: Isaacson, Miller Assists UVA in the Recruitment of 10th President
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
