Excellence, Integrity + Impact Higher Education Insight, Diversity, Leadership Our Experience Isaacson, Miller is a trusted name in recruiting the finest talent to institutions in higher education. With more than half our work devoted to university and college leadership, we believe we have the nation’s largest and most diverse practice in higher education, spanning both academic administration and functional leadership positions. Our ClientsAcross thousands of searches, Isaacson, Miller has served nearly every sector of the academy, including the most distinguished public and private research universities and selective liberal arts colleges at the presidential level and critical roles throughout these institutions. The depth of Isaacson, Miller’s higher education practice is reflected in its reach into two- and four-year colleges and universities of all classifications and sizes, urban and rural. The firm is a trusted partner to many of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other minority serving institutions, women’s colleges, and faith-based institutions around the country. Our UnderstandingAt this critical inflection point in higher education, Isaacson, Miller has a deep understanding of the increasing complexity of these positions and a profound knowledge of leadership qualities most desired by search committees. The list of challenges facing leaders is daunting: diminishing trust in higher education institutions; challenges to academic freedom and civil discourse; increasing urgency to address social and racial injustice; pressure to reduce barriers to education and ease financial stress on families; a sharper focus on student success, outcomes, value, and disparities; fundamental shifts in the economy; technological innovation; and a need to strengthen the humanities. Isaacson, Miller helps to identify the next generation of leaders that will rise to meet this moment. Our Track RecordWe have unparalleled commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education; in 2024, 47% of our placements identified as women and 28% were people of color. 80% of our searches are for repeat clients; an increasing number are international.For more than 40 years, IM has developed and tested our understanding of the characteristics that define strong, visionary, inclusive, and effective leaders required to guide our higher education partners into the future. Outstanding Leaders Our Latest Results View All New York University President Linda G. Mills, JD, LCSW, PhD Read More Middlebury College President Ian Baucom, PhD Read More Marquette University President Kimo Ah Yun, PhD Read More University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, Dean Rosario Ceballo, PhD Read More University of Michigan - Ann Arbor President Santa J. Ono, PhD Read More Johns Hopkins University Founding Dean of the School of Government and Policy William G. Howell, PhD Read More Rutgers University Graduate School of Education, Dean Christopher M. Span, Ph.D Read More Howard University President Ben Vinson III, PhD Read More Occidental College President Tom Stritikus, PhD Read More Michigan State University President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, PhD Read More University of Maryland Baltimore County, Provost Manfred H. M. van Dulmen Read More Previous Next Experience + Dedication Evidence of Impact 4,000+ Searches in higher education since our founding. 80% Of our searches are for clients who return to us after being pleased with past results. 47% Of our higher education placements in 2024 identified as women. 28% Of our higher education placements in 2024 were people of color. How to Think Differently Insights View All Insights How Colleges Can Perfect On-Site Interviews Key strategies for leaving a positive and lasting impression on job candidates when conducting on-site interviews. In the News Demanding Times for System Heads The Chronicle of Higher Education article, Demanding Times for System Heads, by Lee Gardner, featured commentary from Isaacson, Miller Founder and Chair of the Board, John Isaacson on the challenging nature of the current landscape for public university system heads. In the News Anyone Want to Be a College President? There Are (Many) Openings Isaacson, Miller Chair John Isaacson recently spoke with The New York Times about the complexity and significance of selecting a university president today. Lead the Future Open Searches View All John and Elsie Martinez Endowed Chair in Biomedical Engineering Higher Education Tulane University School of Science and Engineering See Details Executive Director of Development Advancement + Fundraising | Higher Education University of California, Irvine, Henry Samueli School of Engineering See Details Vice Chancellor for Financial and Administrative Affairs Higher Education Purdue University Fort Wayne See Details Vice Provost and Director of the University of Texas Libraries Higher Education The University of Texas at Austin See Details Deputy Director Arts + Culture | Higher Education | Science, Technology, and Society Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT Museum See Details Chief Human Resources Officer Higher Education New England Conservatory See Details Chancellor Higher Education Rutgers University-Newark See Details Assistant Vice President for Development Advancement + Fundraising | Higher Education Pomona College See Details Director, Physical Science Laboratory Higher Education | Science, Technology, and Society New Mexico State University See Details
University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, Dean Rosario Ceballo, PhD Read More
Johns Hopkins University Founding Dean of the School of Government and Policy William G. Howell, PhD Read More
Insights How Colleges Can Perfect On-Site Interviews Key strategies for leaving a positive and lasting impression on job candidates when conducting on-site interviews.
In the News Demanding Times for System Heads The Chronicle of Higher Education article, Demanding Times for System Heads, by Lee Gardner, featured commentary from Isaacson, Miller Founder and Chair of the Board, John Isaacson on the challenging nature of the current landscape for public university system heads.
In the News Anyone Want to Be a College President? There Are (Many) Openings Isaacson, Miller Chair John Isaacson recently spoke with The New York Times about the complexity and significance of selecting a university president today.
John and Elsie Martinez Endowed Chair in Biomedical Engineering Higher Education Tulane University School of Science and Engineering See Details
Executive Director of Development Advancement + Fundraising | Higher Education University of California, Irvine, Henry Samueli School of Engineering See Details
Vice Chancellor for Financial and Administrative Affairs Higher Education Purdue University Fort Wayne See Details
Vice Provost and Director of the University of Texas Libraries Higher Education The University of Texas at Austin See Details
Deputy Director Arts + Culture | Higher Education | Science, Technology, and Society Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT Museum See Details
Assistant Vice President for Development Advancement + Fundraising | Higher Education Pomona College See Details
Director, Physical Science Laboratory Higher Education | Science, Technology, and Society New Mexico State University See Details