December 2022
This holiday season, we would like to take a moment to thank you for your partnership. December always serves as a time to reflect on our work throughout the year. I spent some time considering the number of individuals with whom we have partnered who have grown in their leadership capacities throughout the year. Whether you are a seasoned leader, or just blossoming into a leadership role, I ask that you look back on your journey throughout this year and take note of how far you've come.

The New Year typically signals a time for new beginnings, and I encourage you to take your momentum with you as you continue to learn, grow, and excel in your organization and community.

We wish you a joyful holiday and a prosperous New Year.

Warmest wishes,
Jay Lemons and the Academic Search Team

Thank You for Leading Us Forward

Earlier this month, Linda Bleicken, President of the American Academic Leadership Institute, announced her retirement.

All of us at Academic Search are so thankful for the leadership and expertise she brought to our parent organization over the past five years. Under her leadership, AALI successfully launched the Mastering the Presidential Search Process program, among other achievements.

Linda's dedication to higher education is inspirational and we look forward to having her serve as an executive coach in our Executive Coaching Practice.

“Linda Bleicken and I began our service together of AALI and Academic Search on July 1, 2017. She has been an exceptional partner in every way. Linda created wonderful opportunities for our team to support AALI’s programs and we will all miss her leadership of AALI. She has been an amazing champion for current and future leaders of the Academy. We are all in her debt." - Jay Lemons

In January, Javier Cevallos, president emeritus of Framingham State University, will take over the role of President for AALI. You can look for a formal introduction of Javier in our January newsletter.
Partnering with Institutions to Find, Place, and Celebrate Strong Leaders

Our work goes beyond just finding individuals to fill leadership roles; our consultants are dedicated to the relationships formed during the search process.

Recently, Senior Consultant Dr. Shirley Robinson Pippins celebrated the Installation of Dr. Larry Johnson, Jr., the second President of Stella and Charles Guttmann Community College in New York. Dr. Johnson's appointment was effective on July 1, 2021, with his investiture taking place in August of this year.
Deadlines Approaching for Leadership Development Opportunities through AALI
Mastering the Presidential Search Process

As we finished our last program in October, we are setting our sights on the next session of Mastering the Presidential Search Process to be held March 27-28, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Senior executive leaders currently holding a position of Dean or higher at any two-year or four-year institution are invited to apply to this two-day, hands-on program, which features presentations by several members of the Academic Search team.
Executive Leadership Academy 2023-2024

This year-long program is offered to individuals from member institutions of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the Council of Independent Colleges. Individuals currently serving in cabinet-level positions in any division of their institution are eligible to participate.
Engaging with Leaders Across the Country
Our work centers around leadership development, which allows us to bring a unique perspective to the search process as we place highly-qualified and diverse candidates in leadership roles.

As part of that work, we regularly attend events focused on leadership in higher education. In the past few months, we have participated in the following conferences and events:

  • Oct. 10-11: Senior Consultants Dr. Cynthia M. Patterson, Dr. Shirley Robinson Pippins, and Dr. Maria Thompson, along with Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President, Dr. Shawn M. Hartman, and President, Dr. L. Jay Lemons, worked with attendees of the Mastering the Presidential Search Process program offered through AALI.
  • Oct. 17-18: Senior Consultants Dr. Pippins and Dr. Gwendolyn G. Joseph along with Consultant Andrea Cowsert facilitated workshops on preparing application materials and advancing one’s interview skills with the 2022-2023 California Community Colleges Advancing Leadership Institute for Instructional VPs in Equitable Education (ALIVE) cohort.
  • Oct. 23-26: Senior Consultants Dr. Thomas R. Horgan and Dr. Katherine Haley attended the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities Annual Conference.
  • Nov. 1: Dr. Hartman, along with Senior Consultants Dr. Pamela M. Balch and Dr. Mahauganee D. Shaw presented as part of a Texas Academic Leadership Academy Fellows webinar.
  • Nov. 5-8: Team members Dr. Carlos N. Medina, Dr. Linda A. McMillin, and Maya Ranchod Kirkhope attended the Council of Independent Colleges 2022 Institute for Chief Academic Officers with Chief Financial and Chief Enrollment Officers. Dr. Steven E. Titus, Executive Coaching Practice Leader and Senior Executive Coach, hosted several roundtables for participants. Dr. Hartman presented at the Senior Leadership Academy. 
  • Nov. 13-15: Dr. Lemons, Dr. Titus, and Dr. Hartman attended the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Annual Meeting. Dr. Titus presented on the “Changing Nature of the Presidency.”
Welcoming Our New Team Member

Ms. Hunter brings her wide range of marketing experience to Academic Search, which includes social media management, communications, branding, and web and graphic design. She most recently served as the Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa.

We are thrilled to add this position to our team and look forward to Ms. Hunter bringing her experience to our organization.
Featured Appointments
Dean of University Libraries
University of South Carolina
Dean, School of the Arts, Communication and Global Studies
York College of Pennsylvania
Vice President of Student Affairs
Elms College
Associate Provost for Academic Budget
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences
Molloy University
Provost
SUNY Morrisville
President
Wenatchee Valley College
Dean of the College of Education
University of South Carolina
Associate Dean for Research, School of Dentistry
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Vice President and General Counsel
Ohio Northern University
Associate Vice President of Strategic Communication and Brand Management
California State University, Northridge
President
Northeast State Community College
Senior Diversity Officer
College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
President
Berea College
Commissioner
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
Chief Diversity Officer
Saint Xavier University
Cal Turner Endowed Chair of Business
Fisk University
Chief Information Officer
Marshall University
Graduate Nursing Program Director
Gwynedd Mercy University
Vice President for Finance and Administration
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Executive Director, Center for Socioeconomic Mobility Through Education
University of North Texas at Dallas
Vice President of University Advancement and Executive Director of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation
Southeast Missouri State University
Dean of the Kirkhof College of Nursing
Grand Valley State University
Chief Financial Officer
Marshall University
Director of Athletics
Felician University 
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Marshall University
Vice President for Finance & Business and Chief Financial Officer
Alliance University, formerly known as Nyack College
Vice President for Enrollment 
Alliance University, formerly known as Nyack College
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Operations
Sam Houston State University
Vice President for Equity and Inclusion
Central Connecticut State University