August 2020
In the midst of uncharted waters, we at Academic Search understand and recognize the challenges you and your team must be facing. Please know that we continue to be available to serve as a resource and sounding board if that would be helpful. We have a wide range of expertise in all key institutional management and administrative areas, and most of us have been through past crises. If there is anything we can do to serve you and others, please do not hesitate to contact us. 
New Senior Consultants
Even through these uncertain times, our practice has grown and we wish to share the news that over the past year we have welcomed Dr. William Kibler, Dr. Carlos Medina, Dr. George Ross, and Dr. Maria Thompson as senior consultants. All bring vast and broad experience in higher education executive positions and enhance our wide network of highly qualified prospects and referral sources. 
Dr. Kibler is president emeritus of Sul Ross State University (TX), where he served as president from 2014-2020. His distinguished 43-year career in higher education administration includes 37 years in student affairs administration. 
Dr. Medina brings to Academic Search more than 30 years of progressive experience in state government and higher education, most recently serving as the Vice Chancellor and Chief Diversity Officer of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.  
Dr. Ross served Central Michigan University as president from March 1, 2010, to July 31, 2018. He has a deep background working in the private sector and brings a wealth of finance, business, and administrative experience to our organization.  
Dr. Thompson’s work experience spans a variety of institutional categories including research universities, comprehensive universities, land-grant universities, urban located, rural located, HBCUs and PWIs. From 2015 to 2019, she was president and CEO of Coppin State University (MD), and she is considered a leading expert on data democratization in higher education.
Promotion
We are pleased to announce that Maya Ranchod Kirkhope, who has served Academic Search as a senior consultant for the past 12 years, was promoted to Vice President for Consulting Services on July 1, 2020. In her new role, Maya will focus on supporting the work of the senior consultants as well as developing and expanding services, particularly in the areas of presidential search and transition and onboarding. 
In Memoriam
We are saddened to share that one of our senior consultants, Jacqueline (Jackie) E. Woods, has passed away. Jackie joined our practice in June 2012 and brought a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as a passion for giving voice to underserved populations in the higher education arena. We will miss her energy, thirst for learning, and gregarious nature.
In The News
Our president, Dr. Jay Lemons, was recently interviewed by Hunt Scanlon on “Recruiting College Presidents During the Pandemic” and discussed what institutions and the executive recruiting sector are encountering and likely to confront moving forward. Jay also recently joined Hunt Scanlon Media host Rob Adams for two episodes of “Talent Talks”. In “Recruiting Presidents for Academia,” Jay and Rich Ekman, president of the Council of Independent Colleges, discussed the skills and traits now required of successful university presidents and what skill sets have changed over the last decade. In “Future of the College Presidency,” Jay was joined by Scott Miller, president of Virginia Wesleyan University, and explored how Academic Search is keeping up with the transforming role of the college presidency.
Our chief operating officer, Shawn Hartman, was recently a panelist on "Becoming Visible: Getting on Recruiter Radars", hosted by BlueSteps, and discussed effective networking and personal branding advice that will help get you noticed.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
All of us at Academic Search recommit ourselves to supporting the work of our institutional partners who seek to redress past inequities and to assure that the value and dignity of all are protected and celebrated. To this end, we have come together with other members of the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) in signing the AESC Diversity Pledge. We remain steadfast in our commitment to examining the faults and failures in our own lives and to exercising our privilege to be thought leaders who make a difference in the vital role we play in serving the cause of higher education.
Featured Placements
President
LaGuardia Community College
Vice President for Enrollment Management
Cedar Crest College
President
United Lutheran Seminary
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Bowie State University
President
Newman University
President
Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT)
Dean of the School of Education
Georgia Gwinnett College
Chancellor
Nevada System of Higher Education
President
New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
President
Rust College
President
California Lutheran University
President
Sam Houston State University
View Our Open Searches
We remain committed to the academy and working with our partner institutions to identify talented individuals to serve as tomorrow’s leaders. As has always been the case, our search process is flexible and we have made and continue to make adjustments to create virtual procedures to meet the environmental needs of today and to ensure successful appointments. We continue to facilitate numerous searches and invite you to contact our consultants to speak in confidence about any that may be of interest to you.
Join Our Candidate Network
Our dedication extends beyond our institutional and organizational partners to the candidates involved in our searches. By joining our network, you will regularly be alerted to new search opportunities as well as news about our practice and available services. We look forward to connecting with you!