Searching for Higher Education Leadership: Advice for Candidates and Search Committees

Jean Dowdall, extremely well-qualified and well-known in the area of higher education executive search, offers crucial advice for higher education search candidates as they move chronologically through a typical search, including pre-search considerations; making the best use of a network; preparing an application; confidentiality concerns; interviews; considering an offer; and making the transition to the new position. When the focus shifts to search committees, again moving chronologically through the search process, Dowdall explores subjects such as understanding the the position; how search committees are formed; factors involved in carrying out the search, whether with, or without, a consultant; and the transition to the new leadership from the institutional perspective.

Dowdall’s book offers sample documents for candidates as well as for the search committees, and includes a substantive bibliography. From her vantage point outside the institution, Dowdall is able to provide a unique point of view and insightful comments on the complex and often daunting process of the academic executive search. Key selling points include: The eagerness for career advice that exists, both from candidates (Part I of the book) and search committees (Part II of the book); a visible author, who writes a monthly column in the Chronicle of Higher Education and lectures often at leadership seminars; and information on this subject which covers all institutional types, including liberal arts colleges, comprehensive institutions, research universities, and community colleges.