Susan C. Puryear, Ed.D. joined AGB Search in 2024 after over 15 years in both private and public higher education leadership in the areas of research administration, compliance, and development. As a senior and cabinet level university leader, Dr. Puryear has been actively involved in searches as both committee chair and committee member for key university leadership positions including executive cabinet level leadership.
Experience and Honors
Dr. Puryear most recently served as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Administration, Integrity, and Development at the University of Massachusetts Lowell where she oversaw research infrastructure operations supporting a rapidly growing university research portfolio. She played a lead role working with government, industry, foundation, and higher education partners and sponsors negotiating research collaborations and agreements, and was integrally involved in the larger strategic management and planning work of the university related to its research operations and growth. In addition to her expertise in research administration, compliance, and development, Dr. Puryear’s higher education management experience includes strategic planning, leadership development, strategic enterprise analysis, change management, cross-functional collaboration, meeting facilitation, and negotiation.
Prior to her work at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Dr. Puryear oversaw research administration and compliance at Clark University in Worcester, MA. Her earlier career included consulting work with higher education institutions and other non-profit and for-profit organizations in the areas of business development, program design and implementation, and fundraising.
Dr. Puryear has served on the boards of K-12 serving educational institutions and organizations and continues to volunteer supporting educational programming and community health initiatives as a member of The Links, Incorporated . She was appointed in 2024 by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey to serve on the Board of Trustees of Framingham State University.
Education
