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
Virginia Schaefer Horvath
Senior Consultant and Senior Executive Coach
Ginny.Horvath@academicsearch.org
Dr. Virginia Schaefer Horvath’s entire professional career has been in higher education, and her passion for students, faculty, administrators, and the institutions where they learn and work is palpable. Her interest in all of academia, from the newest scientific and health research to the latest work in the arts and student success—is why Dr. Horvath is deeply invested in her work as a senior consultant and is committed to finding the best candidates for executive-level positions.
Dr. Horvath joined Academic Search in 2019 after more than 40 years of service on public university faculties and administration, including seven years as president of SUNY Fredonia. She is also trained in interest-based bargaining and has the unique ability to understand multiple positions on an issue or role. She has extensive experience coaching and guiding leaders through transitions.
As a first-generation college student, Dr. Horvath earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Buffalo (SUNY) and a master’s and doctorate, all in English, from Kent State University. She stayed at Kent State and began teaching English courses in writing, British literature, children’s/young adult literature, and poetry and earned the Distinguished Teaching Award. After promotion to full professor, she joined the administration as Dean of Academic and Student Services for Kent’s regional campuses and Assistant to the President for Strategic Planning.
As a Senior Consultant, Dr. Horvath understands the significance of communication. In fact, she believes “over-communicating” is vital when working with a search committee and often sets up weekly check-ins to ensure transparency. She views searches from an appreciative inquiry lens and has a sharp eye for recognizing strengths and opportunities. Additionally, Dr. Horvath is intentional in her effort to build and maintain relationships with everyone involved in the search, and she is often hired to help fill multiple positions at the same institution.
Dr. Horvath is extremely thorough in her recruiting process and makes a concerted effort to gain a deep understanding of the institution, the community, the culture, and the goals the college or university hopes to accomplish. With this knowledge, Dr. Horvath can communicate with candidates and provide them with vital information that will allow her to gauge their interest in the vacant position. By combining this tactic with her excellent coaching skills, she also takes the time to build relationships with candidates, getting to know them and learning what they might bring to the role they seek. Dr. Horvath can therefore present the search committee with a diverse pool of well-qualified candidates whom she has come to know.
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
