As the first organization dedicated to higher education executive search, our service model has always focused on outstanding executive recruitment for colleges and universities. We have years of experience in the sector and understand the unique needs higher education institutions have when hiring.
We’ve proudly concluded more than 2,600 successful searches for Presidents/Chancellors, Provosts, Vice Presidents, and Deans in a variety of disciplines.
Administrative Areas:
Academic Affairs | Admissions & Enrollment | Advancement | Business & Finance | General Counsel | Human Resources | Information Technology | Marketing & Communications | Operations | Student Affairs | Student Success | And Many Others
Academic Disciplines:
Architecture | Arts & Humanities | Business & Economics | Education | Healthcare/Nursing | Hospitality | Libraries | STEM | And Many Others
We’re With You Every Step of the Way
Academic Search serves as your partner in a collaborative search effort. Our senior consultants interact extensively with your search committee to assist with organizing and managing the search process, and informing the crucial decisions of the search committees and hiring authorities.
We use a four-step process to frame our higher education executive search process: organize the search; lead recruitment; evaluate, select, and interview semifinalists; and close the search.
Organize
Academic Search works side-by-side with our partner institutions to analyze your needs, set specific goals, and develop operating guidelines. During this preliminary phase, we meet with appropriate departments such as human resources to ensure that the search process conforms to the regulations, requirements, and culture of our partner institution or organization.
Recruit
A key step in the search process is building a strong candidate pool with the unique qualifications of the open position. By getting to know your institution well, we guarantee we are finding candidates who fit with the mission and culture of the role. We cast a wide net to find the very best candidates, locally, nationally, and globally, and tap into our extensive networks to identify a broad group of candidates.
Through our connection to leadership development programs through our parent organization, the American Academic Leadership Institute, and many of our consultants actively participating in conferences and programs across the country, we are able to tap into an even larger range of candidates who are ready for their next role.
Evaluate, Select, and Interview
We partner with your search committee in designing and implementing a selection process tailored to your needs and campus culture. Our process involves working with you to develop an objective review method for evaluating candidates. Our senior consultants are actively involved in recruitment and evaluation and openly share insights into conversations with candidates and others throughout the interview process.
Close the Search
Our senior consultants work with you to not only select the finalists but also perform background checks and reference calls. We ensure consistent communication with all finalists throughout the process.
Once the campus interviews are completed, we ensure the search is brought to a successful conclusion. Our consultants can help develop recommendations to the hiring authority to facilitate a smooth transition for the newly hired candidate which might include communications strategies and a transition plan.
Beyond the Search
Leadership transitions can be both energizing and stressful times for institutional communities. We strive to guide you and your institution through these changes throughout the leadership lifecycle by providing transition and onboarding support as well as executive coaching.
Why Academic Search
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. 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.
High Retention Rates
The very high percentages of appointees from our searches who remain in office five years later is strong evidence of our careful attention to institutional/appointee fit.
Meet Our Senior Consultants
Lisa A. Ryan
Senior Consultant
Lisa.Ryan@academicsearch.org
Ms. Lisa A. Ryan’s prolific career is built on devotion to her craft, building sincere long-term relationships, and a genuine love of seeing people thrive. Recruiting and executive consulting is not just an occupation she’s held for her entire adult life, but it’s a calling that has made her a trusted resource and earned her the admiration of countless people in many industries.
After 33 years as a Client Partner at Heyman Associates in New York, Ms. Ryan retired in late 2022. Ms. Ryan was one of the communications executive search firm’s first employees and led hundreds of searches to help it become the world-class organization it is today. Fortune 500 clients of Heyman Associates include GM, AT&T, Wells Fargo, and more, and Ms. Ryan specialized in healthcare, consumer products, industrial, and infrastructure companies. Before joining Heyman Associates, Ms. Ryan was honing her recruiting skills as an Executive Search Associate with The Cantor Concern, and she had previously been the national Management Recruiter for NutriSystem.
Heyman Associates also partnered with higher education institutions over the years, and Ms. Ryan developed a deep affinity for searches in the realm. Ms. Ryan helped place a number of public relations and marketing communications team members at colleges and universities throughout her tenure, providing her with the specialized experience that guides her through searches with Academic Search. Additionally, she has a brilliant knack for recognizing executive talent, and her innate ability to connect with people will be invaluable as she continues to excel in higher education consulting.
Ms. Ryan began her post-college career in college admissions at Widener University, and she was also a Nurse Recruiter and Assistant Registrar for the College of Allied Health Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University. These positions helped ignite her passion for higher education recruiting, and now as a Senior Consultant, she is back in the field that brings her immense gratification.
Throughout her time with Heyman Associates, Ms. Ryan maintained her connections to her alma mater and higher education. She was a member of Susquehanna’s alumni board and is now a Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Philanthropy and Engagement Committee. She was a frequent speaker at the Public Affairs Council, Rutgers University, and the University of Southern California, as well as other professional organizations.
Although networking is a professional necessity in the consulting world, Ms. Ryan takes to it with ease and earnestness. She loves to meet people and learn about their aspirations, and she’s an excellent listener who has perfected the art of advising without being overt. Ms. Ryan continues to maintain relationships she’s held throughout her professional life, and she remains an entrusted advisor for many.
We look forward to partnering with you. Contact us for a complimentary search consultation or request for proposal.
1250 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20036-2657
Phone: 202-332-4049
Fax: 202-234- 7640
