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-seven 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 Notes

When We Lose a Mentor

8/13/2018 | J. Scott Derrick

On July 31, 2018, the student union and student activities profession lost an icon when Max Vest, longtime Director of Student Activities and the Tyler Haynes Commons at the University of Richmond, passed away. While many of us knew Max as a light-hearted, super-involved professional who had an overwhelming need to have the latest technology… Continue reading >

3 things to remember when updating your resume

7/26/2018 | Ellen Heffernan

Remember the Goal The purpose of your cover letter and resume is to get you an interview. It is important that you think critically about the position for which you are applying and shape your resume to fit the needs of that position. Remember that you will be competing with other seasoned practitioners, and you… Continue reading >

2018 Summer Reading List

6/22/2018 | Ellen Heffernan

Another summer is here and we hope you enjoy every minute of it! This year's summer reading list is an eclectic mix and we hope you find these suggestions to be helpful professionally! Each book is available online and through your local independent bookseller or public library. Learning Everywhere on Campus: Teaching Strategies for Student Affairs… Continue reading >