25-year higher education leader to guide innovative consulting and search initiatives

Washington, D.C. – July 10, 2017 – Melissa K. Trotta, Ed.D., has been named associate managing principal of the Washington D.C.-based higher education search firm, AGB Search. AGB Search is the only firm that specializes in all aspects of higher education executive search.

In making the announcement, Dr. Rod Mc Davis, managing principal of AGB Search, said that Trotta’s extensive experience in higher education administration and search adds a critical level of leadership to the rapidly growing firm. “We are excited to have Melissa on board.” McDavis noted. “She will not only provide clients with professional engagement guidance, but she will also assist in directing the firm’s implementation of our strategic plan and innovative search-driven technology initiatives.”

Trotta has spent 25 years in higher education administrative leadership roles at institutions including Harvard University, Georgetown University, and Johns Hopkins University. She is a seasoned administrator in the fields of admissions and enrollment, program management, executive education, and strategic planning.  She was most recently a vice president at Boston-based Neumann Executive Search Partners.

“I am excited to be part of AGB Search,” said Trotta. “The firm’s reputation for leadership searches in all areas of higher education is well-known and respected throughout the country. I look forward to working with Dr. McDavis and the entire AGB Search staff.”

Trotta holds a bachelor of arts degree in communications (Phi Beta Kappa) and a master of arts in higher education administration from Boston College. She earned a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, where her dissertation research focused on building the administrative leadership pipeline on college and university campuses. Trotta serves on the alumni board of the Executive Doctorate Program at Penn’s Graduate School of Education.

AGB Search, based in Washington, D.C., is the only firm that specializes in all aspects of higher education executive search. The firm identifies and vets exceptional candidates, helping to build effective, diverse leadership teams. Founded by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges in 2010, AGB Search has an unparalleled commitment to professionalism and quality. With a dedication to service and deep roots in the industry, AGB Search discovers what makes each institution unique and presents the best candidates for each position. www.agbsearch.com.
 

Partnership will focus on executive searches for professional, continuing, and online education.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 28, 2017 – AGB Search, the only firm that specializes in all aspects of higher education executive search, has partnered with UPCEA, the leading association for professional, continuing, and online education, to provide executive search services for higher education institutions, units, and programs serving nontraditional student populations. 

From declining enrollments to changing student demands, today’s shifting higher education landscape presents many challenges to institutions. Although enrollments at U.S. colleges and universities have been declining since 2012, online enrollment overall continues to trend upward, with 5.8 million students enrolled in at least one online course in 2014. The pressure to stay on top of trends and skills in today’s ever-changing, technology-driven economy is spurring enrollments, with job goals or transition to a new career as a primary motivator. To remain competitive, institutions must effectively serve adult and nontraditional learners, who now constitute up to 85 percent of American college students. Professional, continuing, and online education units are on the front lines, helping this population to balance the competing demands of work, family, and education. 

As this aspect of higher education evolves, institutional leadership has to be well-versed in growing and managing sustainable continuing and online education programs. The need for leaders experienced in this space led to UPCEA’s exclusive partnership with AGB Search. Through the partnership, institutions seeking to fill high-level leadership positions in professional, continuing, and online education units will be paired with AGB Search consultants and veterans of the field whose guidance will help searchers identify and hire the best candidate for the institution and role. 

“Having a leader who can implement an effective strategy for reaching nontraditional students will soon make a difference in institutional survival,” said Bob Hansen, CEO of UPCEA. “I’m pleased that through our partnership with AGB Search, institutions will have access to seasoned search consultants to help fill these strategic leadership roles.”

The AGB Search team will be joined by search consultants Mary McIntire, Ph.D. and Thomas Kowalik, Ph.D., past UPCEA members and highly-regarded leaders in the professional, continuing, and online education field. McIntire most recently served as Dean of the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University. During her tenure at Rice, enrollments increased from hundreds per year to nearly 20,000, and courses have attracted students from more than 100 countries. Kowalik has more than 30 years of leadership experience in adult and continuing education. Previously at Binghamton University (SUNY), he was founding director of the University’s campus-wide Continuing Education and Outreach unit, which grew to serve more than 11,000 graduate, undergraduate, and noncredit students annually. With their decades of expertise in the field, McIntire and Kowalik are adept at identifying the unique skills and attributes necessary for leading today’s innovative and entrepreneurial units. 

“Together, AGB Search and UPCEA will help to strengthen the online, continuing, and professional education space by identifying leaders with high quality, relevant expertise,” said Rod McDavis, Managing Principal of AGB Search. “We are proud to be at the forefront of higher education leadership in the 21st century.” 

About AGB Search
AGB Search, based in Washington, D.C., is the only firm that specializes in all aspects of higher education executive search. The firm identifies and vets exceptional candidates, helping to build effective, diverse leadership teams. Founded by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges in 2010, AGB Search has an unparalleled commitment to professionalism and quality. With a dedication to service and deep roots in the industry, AGB Search discovers what makes each institution unique and presents the best candidates for each position. www.agbsearch.com. 

About UPCEA
UPCEA is the association for leaders in professional, continuing, and online education. Founded in 1915, UCPEA membership includes most of the leading public and private colleges and universities in North America. For more than 100 years, the association has served its members with innovative conferences and specialty seminars, research and benchmarking information, professional networking opportunities, and timely publications. Based in Washington, D.C., UPCEA also builds greater awareness of the vital link between contemporary learners and public policy issues. Learn more at www.upcea.edu. 

Contact:
UPCEA
Molly Nelson 
202-400-2676
mnelson@upcea.edu

AGB Search
Marissa Cormier
202-766-0832
mec@agbsearch.com 

Dr. McDavis to assume position as AGB Search managing principal March 1, 2017.

Washington, D.C. – December 9, 2016 – Dr. Rod McDavis, president of Ohio University, has been selected as the new managing principal for AGB Search, the only executive search firm that specializes in providing search, interim search, compensation evaluation and leadership transition assistance to public and private higher education institutions.

In announcing the selection, Joyce Roche, chair of the AGB Search board of directors and vice chair of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) board of directors, said Dr. McDavis was a standout candidate from early on in the process. “We knew Rod had stellar qualifications and numerous impressive accomplishments," she said. “But what differentiated him were his energy and passion. He expressed a willingness to take risks and explore new territory that will take AGB Search to the next level. And he truly wants to make a difference for students.”

Dr. McDavis has served in a variety of academic and administrative roles in higher education, including his current position as president of Ohio University. As president, Dr. McDavis has overseen several initiatives leading to expansion, increased funding and more diverse enrollment.

“The AGB brand is esteemed for its impactful work within the higher education sector, including board development, institutional operations and executive search,” Dr. McDavis stated. “It is exciting to be part of an organization with these unique offerings focused solely on higher education. I look forward to leading AGB Search and collaborating with my colleagues across the industry to find the best leaders, prepare future talent, and promote the value of higher education.”

Dr. McDavis’ priorities for AGB Search include cultivating future higher education leaders so candidate pools are deep and diverse, ensuring the firm’s strategic goals align with forthcoming changes in the sector, recruiting additional search consultants to serve more institutions, and elevating its profile within the industry.

“Under the leadership of managing principal Dr. Jamie Ferrare, AGB Search, in a very short time, has built a strong reputation as one of the most respected firms in higher education search,” noted Rick Legon, president of AGB. “As we move into the next phase of AGB Search’s growth, I’m confident Rod’s entrepreneurism and visionary ideas for the firm will position us to achieve even greater success."

Dr. Ferrare has been with the firm for six years, having grown it to seven Washington, D.C.-based staff, 10 research associates, and 35 search consultants. In keeping with AGB Search’s commitment to long-term success, Ferrare will continue to serve as an advisor to the firm to ensure a smooth transition.

AGB Search, based in Washington, D.C., is the only executive search firm that specializes in all aspects of the higher education employment continuum. The firm identifies and vets exceptional candidates, helping to build the most effective, diverse leadership teams possible. Founded by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges in 2010, AGB Search has an unparalleled commitment to professionalism and quality. With a dedication to service and deep roots in the industry, AGB Search discovers what makes each institution unique and presents the best candidates for each position. www.agbsearch.com.

Washington, D.C. - September 1, 2016 - AGB Search is pleased to announce that Dr. Jennifer L. Braaten, former president of Ferrum College, and Dr. Kevin P. Reilly, former president of the University of Wisconsin System, will be joining our staff as AGB search consultants. In this role, Dr. Braaten and Dr. Reilly bring extensive networks and invaluable experience to our clients. 

Dr. Braaten has just completed a 14-year tenure as president of Ferrum College, the first woman to serve as president of the southwest Virginia institution. Under her leadership, the college improved numerous academic programs, added athletic teams, and increased both enrollment and the endowment. She was the architect of the most comprehensive small campus “makeover” in the region, helping to create new modular-built residence halls, an athletic complex, and major science laboratory additions. 

Prior to becoming president of Ferrum, Dr. Braaten served as chair of the board of trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACS), the Educational & Institutional Insurance Administrators, Inc. (EIIA), the USA South Athletic Conference, and The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). 

Dr. Kevin P. Reilly served as president of the University of Wisconsin System from 2004 to 2013, during which time he hired, oriented, and evaluated 31 chancellors and interim chancellors. Under his leadership, system-wide enrollment grew to an all-time high of 182,000 students and sponsored research expanded to over $1 billion annually. Both the number of transfer students and degrees awarded rose by 13%, and privately donated need-based student aid increased 124%.

Prior to his presidency, Dr. Reilly served as the president of the National Association of System Heads (NASH) and on the steering committee for four Wisconsin statewide economic summits.  He has been a member and officer of the board of directors of the American Council on Education (ACE), as well as a presidential advisor for leadership, and chair of the ACE Commission on Adult Learning and Educational Credentials.

AGB Search, an affiliate of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, is a leading higher education executive search firm that provides search, interim search, and executive compensation services to colleges, universities, higher education systems, institutionally related foundations, and higher education associations.

AGB Search, based in Washington, D.C., is the only executive search firm that specializes in all aspects of the higher education employment continuum. The firm identifies and vets exceptional candidates, helping to build the most effective, diverse leadership teams possible. Founded by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges in 2010, AGB Search has an unparalleled commitment to professionalism and quality. With a dedication to service and deep roots in the industry, AGB Search discovers what makes each institution unique and presents the best candidates for each position. www.agbsearch.com.