Academic Search

Firm Overview

For nearly five decades, Academic Search has been a mission-driven organization dedicated to expanding leadership capacity at higher education institutions. We strengthen colleges and universities through the identification, recruitment, and development of leaders. As the first executive search firm dedicated to higher education, we bring a deep understanding of the evolving challenges and opportunities within the higher education landscape. We understand that leadership transitions can be both energizing and stressful times for institutional communities and we strive to guide leaders and institutions through these changes from the placement of the leader to support throughout the leadership life cycle. Our team is composed of higher education leaders who bring a wealth of knowledge and expansive networks. Through this experience, we are uniquely positioned to understand, appreciate, and address the specific needs of each institution we partner with.

Off-Limits Policy

1 year

Average Time to Completion on Assignment

4.5 months

News Briefings

Academic Search Seeking New President for the University of Alabama

Education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search has been retained by the University of Alabama (UA) to lead in its search for a new president. Stuart R. Bell, the 29th president of the University of Alabama, has announced his plans to step down from the presidency mid-summer, completing a decade in the school’s top leadership role. Senior consultant Ann...

Academic Search Seeking New President for the University of Southern Indiana

Education-focused executive recruitment firm Academic Search has been selected by the University of Southern Indiana to lead in its search for its fifth president. Jay Lemons, Stuart Dorsey, Jennifer Kooken, and Amy Bonsiero are leading the assignment. Ronald S. Rochon announced that he would be stepping down to become the president of California State University. The president is the...

The Hartford International University for Religion and Peace Taps Academic Search to Find New Leader

Education-focused executive recruitment firm Academic Search has been retained by the Hartford International University for Religion and Peace to lead in its hunt for its 12th president. Joel N. Lohr, an awarding-winning author, scholar of religion, and transformative leader in higher education, stepped down from this position in July. Leading the assignment are Sharon D. Herzberger, senior consultant; and Carly Place,...

Academic Search Recruits Provost for Aurora University

Education-focused executive recruitment firm Academic Search has assisted in the recruitment of Paaige Turner as the new provost and executive vice president for academic affairs for Aurora University. Maya Ranchod Kirkhope led the assignment. “Dr. Turner is an exceptional individual who embodies the enterprising, service-oriented, and creative academic leadership that defines our university,” said Susana Rivera-Mills, president...

Colleges and Universities Rely on Search Firms to Find Leaders in Polarizing Times

Academic institutions continue to pump big fees into executive search firms nationwide. Many academic recruiting specialists say business, in fact, has never been better despite some sectors of executive search slowing over the past year. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels, and if there’s any slowdown coming...

Academic Search Assists the University of Nebraska in Recruiting New President

Jay Lemons, Jennifer Kooken, and George Ross of education-focused executive recruiter Academic Search recently assisted in the recruitment of Jeffrey P. Gold as the ninth president of the University of Nebraska. Past president Ted Carter left the school last year to become the president of Ohio State University, a search that was led by Santa Barbara, CA-based Education Executives. Dr. Gold’s appointment concludes a...