leadership search for higher education

Spelman Johnson is a premier executive search firm exclusively committed to serving higher education.

Spelman Johnson is a premier executive search firm exclusively committed to serving higher education.

Recruiting talented leaders on behalf of the institutions we serve, our success is strengthened by our deep and diverse relationships and our investment in the development and engagement of a leadership pipeline. Since 1991, we’ve helped hundreds of higher education institutions identify outstanding professionals, pairing exceptional leaders with positions across all facets of the academy. Spelman Johnson is nationally recognized for our thought leadership on issues of equity and diversity and for our commitment to inclusion in higher education.

during our twenty-eight year history, Spelman Johnson has cultivated and supported a diverse, national network of professionals of color within higher education.

The relationships we establish in the course of our work

with multi-cultural professional groups and associations are part of an overall corporate commitment to the advancement of underrepresented professionals within higher education. Our placements show our strong commitment to the advancement of underrepresented persons within the field of higher education.

54%

of our searches have been completed with the hire of a woman

26%

of our positions hired have been persons of color

62%

of the women we have placed throughout our history remain in their positions or have been promoted to higher positions within the client institution

68%

of the persons of color remain in their positions or have been promoted within the client institution

News and Resources

Spelman Johnson to exhibit at the NACAC Conference in Louisville, Kentucky

9/5/2019 | Kendra Dane

Spelman Johnson will be attending the 2019 NACAC National Conference in Louisville, Kentucky from September 26-28. You’ll find Valerie Szymkowicz, Vice President, and Kendra Dane, Search Associate, in the exhibit hall, Booth #392. Please stop by and learn firsthand how our specialized search practice has changed the face of higher education one leader at a… Continue reading >

The Devil is in the Details 2.0

8/13/2019 | J. Scott Derrick

Because the major part of my job entails a deep daily dive into a vast ocean of resumes, cover letters, and other application materials, I have a great tendency to notice all the large and small minutiae of said materials. Last year, in an essay similar to this one, I shared my thoughts with you… Continue reading >

Congrats to our recent placements!

8/15/2019 | Ellen Heffernan

We are delighted to share with you the names of talented candidates who have recently advanced into key leadership positions with our partner institutions. Peter Balabuch Executive Director, Dining Services, University of North Texas Carrie Chutes Director, Auxiliary Services, Stephen F. Austin State University Julie DeGraw Vice President for Student Affairs, Valparaiso University Joseph Milek… Continue reading >