J. Scott Derrick
Managing Consultant
Contact Scott
Scott Derrick is a managing consultant with Spelman Johnson. Working out of a satellite office near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, J. Scott leads searches across a range of institutional types and administrative functions, with particular depth of practice in student affairs, auxiliary services, enrollment management, and campus public safety.
Shaped by his many years of managing student unions and building community on university campuses, J. Scott’s ethos of servant leadership undergirds his executive search practice. He is passionate about working closely with clients to gain a keen understanding of their needs and to craft rigorous searches that produce deep, broad, and diverse candidate pools. He excels in identifying, assessing, and matching talent to the right roles, creating enduring value for the institutions he serves and helping talented professionals reach new career heights. Attentive, quick-witted, and laser-focused without taking himself too seriously, J. Scott consistently delivers high-quality service and exceptional results.
Scott joined Spelman Johnson in June 2017 after a 30-year career in higher education. He has worked at public and private institutions, most recently as executive director of the Popp Martin Student Union and Cone University Center at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Previously, he served as the director of the Trone Student Center at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, as director of student life at the College of Charleston, and as assistant director of student activities at the University of Richmond.
Scott was an active member of the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) and the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) for three decades, serving in a number of leadership roles, presenting educational programs, and facilitating interactive workshops. He recently served as president of ACUI, following a two-year term on the Board of Trustees, and led several consulting engagements for the association. J. Scott is a professional auctioneer and master of ceremonies, as well as a dynamic public and motivational speaker. He earned his BA in mathematics from Furman University and his MEd in student personnel services from the University of South Carolina.