Pacific Selects Partner Firm for Presidential Search

Pacific University’s Presidential Search Committee has selected R. William Funk & Associates as a partner in managing the search for the university’s next president.

Led by founder and president R. William (Bill) Funk — who the Chronicle of Higher Education has called “the guru of higher education recruiting — R. William Funk & Associates specializes in higher education search consulting. The firm a has been recognized by the American Council on Education for its work in recruiting women to senior leadership in higher education as recognized in 2020 for “a standout search” in placement of the first Black president of Rutgers University.

R. William Funk & Associates has conducted more than 430 searches for college and university presidents and chancellors, including placements at more than half of U.S. News & World Report’s “Top 30 National Universities.” 

“We are extremely pleased that Pacific will have the support of one of the most effective presidential recruiters in the country,” said Presidential Search Committee Chair and Pacific University Trustee Mark Frandsen.

The search firm will work closely with the search committee on establishing the timeline and process for the search and recruiting candidates. The firm will have preliminary meetings with trustees and other Pacific stakeholders in December.

Pacific University is conducting a search for its 18th president in advance of the retirement of President Lesley M. Hallick in the summer of 2022.