k 12 education executive search firms

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K-12 Education Executive Search

Extensive track record in recruiting high-performing K-12 executives

Industry-leading executive search firm for K-12 education

The tools and teaching formats in K-12 education have seen tremendous changes. Technology integration into classrooms has never been more widespread, with remote classes, learning management systems, and online resources becoming essential to modern teaching. However, an aging workforce, growing workloads, and insufficient support have created significant teacher recruitment and retention challenges. Educational equity is also a pressing issue, disproportionately affecting children from underserved communities, resulting in considerable achievement gaps and perpetuating cycles of disadvantage. To tackle these challenges, K-12 education businesses are seeking innovative and inspirational executive leaders who understand the importance of education technology and services to support all children to reach their full potential.

Deep-rooted K-12 education expertise

As a top executive recruiting firm, our team’s deep industry expertise and executive network can help clients recruit transformational executives across K-12 education businesses. At JM Search, we understand this increasingly complex landscape and have a proven track record of partnering with clients to identify and recruit top-tier K-12 education executives.

Sample executive positions recruited

Our team is comprised of former C-level executives and deeply experienced executive recruiting experts that know how to assess top talent across the following key roles:

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Board & President
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Finance
• Chief Operating Officer (COO) & Operations
• Chief Information Officer (CIO) & Technology
• Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) & DE&I
• Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) & Sales
• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) & Risk
• General Counsel (GC) & Compliance
• Chief Product Officer (CPO)
• Customer Success & Sales Leaders

K-12 executive recruiting experts

Unlike many other firms, our partners are immersed and involved in your search every step of the way, supported by a passionate, highly experienced, and deeply connected team of search experts focused on the K-12 sector.

Elba Pillion

Renee Forcey

Featured k-12 clients.

One firm, focused on you . Contact us today to get started.

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K-12 Recruitment Group is the Leading K-12 Executive Search Firm in the USA

K-12 Recruitment Group is capable of recruiting and staffing any full-time position at a school or school district throughout the USA. To achieve consistent success, we leverage our huge education database, use over two dozen sophisticated recruiting technologies, and roll-up our sleeves to do some old-school recruiting techniques.

Current Openings

New PreK-12 Teacher and Administration positions come in regularly, so be sure to check our Current Opportunities page frequently.  If you don’t see a position that is a good fit for you,  send us your resume, geographical preferences, and job titles of interest.  We will keep you posted as new positions come into our office.

Have a Question?

We welcome client inquiries.  If you are struggling to fill a critical teacher or administrator vacancy and want some free recruiting advice or you prefer a conversation about potentially using our K-12 staffing recruiting services, please select a time for our Founder, John Meurer, to call you.

At K-12 Recruitment Group we are committed to finding and recruiting the best candidates for our client schools and school districts throughout the country.

K-12 Recruitment Group is an Executive Search Firm and Staffing Agency. We have a unique outlook and a special way of serving our K-12 clients. We are committed to serving private, charter, and public schools in a way that makes a real impact on the quality of teachers and administrators that are hired to lead the schools of today and tomorrow.

Our mission is to strive for excellence through serving our client schools.  We accomplish this by utilizing the latest technology, proven recruiting processes, and leveraging our database & social network of over 155,000 K-12 educators and academic administrators. We can fill School Superintendent, Chief Learning Officer, Chief Academic Officer, School Principal, Headmaster, Head of School, Vice Principal. Dean, Special Education Teacher, Speech-Language Pathologist, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, School Nurse, School Psychologist, ESL Teacher, STEM Teacher, and many other PreK-12 positions.

“I want to offer my sincere thanks for the assistance you provided in our recent search for a Principal. You attracted an outstanding set of candidates. You applied the highest standards of service to ensure the credentials and quality of the candidate pool.”

Board of Directors , Private, College-Prep High School, Missouri

“This was the best search process I’ve ever been involved with because of the outstanding connections K-12 Recruitment Group has in the educational field. The pool of candidates provided was deeper and richer than we had expected.   The support we received through the process was top-notch and we could not be more pleased with the outcome.”

Board of Directors , Charter School, Oklahoma

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Many of the world’s best and most admired organizations trust CarterBaldwin with their most critical leadership needs.

Carterbaldwin | search done better, request a consultation with carterbaldwin, search done better tm.

In a competitive world, many search firms strive to be “different.” Since our inception, we’ve just focused on being  better .

The thing we love about better  is that it focuses us on clients and candidates … not competition. Better keeps us pushing for performance gains for those that entrust their key leadership needs to us. We have strong opinions about what makes a better search firm and have been relentless about building our firm around a  better  …

Too small undermines key infrastructure and “muscle” to put behind searches. A committed partner without sufficient research and recruiting support is a formula for missed client expectations.

We manage our firm’s size to make us better. While we’re in the top 1% of retained search firms by size, our partner team is focused on delivering great search outcomes, and they have the resources behind them to deliver the goods.

We train hard and have a continuous improvement mentality. We measure everything and keep trying to beat our records on speed and quality. We love competing with ourselves.

Performance Retainer

Most searches require fees to be paid long before the conclusion of the engagement. Not ours. It makes us better to have our financial success tied to our client’s success.

Search done right is hard work, requiring hustle, inquisitiveness and a “never rest” mentality. People content with “good” don’t like it here.  View our values .

We expect a lot from our team because our clients expect a lot from us. In return, we work hard to make CarterBaldwin a better place to work. We have a fun, collaborative, team-oriented yet heavily performance-driven culture. This yields better outcomes for our clients and candidates.

Candidate Approach

A core value of our firm is to treat candidates the way we would want to be treated. We work hard to communicate candidly, openly and honestly with candidates throughout and after a search.

Not surprising, a significant number of our new clients come from executives we treated well when they were candidates on one of our searches … even when they didn’t get the job. We consistently hear “you guys treated me better.”

Annually, CarterBaldwin commits to contribute a portion of its profits to charitable organizations. These organizations are represented below and span causes that support our children, our veterans and the underprivileged.

Insight from our Partners

The Head of School Interview: Navigating Key Questions

2024-04-03T14:56:57-04:00 By CarterBaldwin |

The Head of School search process has been described as a delicate dance, with both prospective candidates and boards or search committees putting their best foot forward in hopes of making a strong match. The search committee comes to the interview with carefully crafted questions, which the candidate answers with thoughtful, well-prepared responses. Both the committee [...]

Transforming Education: Unveiling the Power of Retained Search Firms in K-12 Leadership

2024-01-23T19:01:13-05:00 By CarterBaldwin |

Partners Chris Hornsby and Jack Hall explore how retained search firms like CarterBaldwin play a pivotal role in shaping K-12 education leadership. Discover their expertise in finding the right leaders, emphasizing cultural alignment, and building lasting connections between candidates and schools. Gain insights into how their approach goes beyond recruitment, fostering relationships that deliver board [...]

Why Culture Matters

2022-07-22T18:28:52-04:00 By CarterBaldwin |

Partner Chris Guiney shares the importance of culture and its impact on organizations in a new podcast, "How Culture Impacts an Organization," hosted by Rob Adams and Hunt Scanlon. Chris leads the firm's energy and infrastructure practice and has more than 30 years of executive search experience spanning corporate, PE-backed and nonprofit sectors. In this [...]

Find out why the world’s best and most admired organizations trust CarterBaldwin with their critical leadership needs.

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Home » Executive Search » Academic Search

K-12 + Higher Ed Executive Search

Impacting future generations.

Lindauer has long and proven executive search experience in the field of Education. We’ve been honored to partner with a wide range of educational institutions, from complex research universities, vibrant liberal arts colleges, and thriving community colleges, to elementary and secondary educational institutions, or even unique learning environments across the United States and globally.

Our Consultants understand the intersections of faculty and research; enrollment management and admissions; student and residential life; diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; fundraising and finance; operations and marketing; analytics, data, and more. We understand how to explore whether an educational leader, frontline fundraiser, or department administrator has the skills to handle complex environments, mature and emerging programs, and uplifting community engagement.

We will assess leadership and management capabilities, vet ability to create and drive strategy, measure experience to mount large-scale and targeted initiatives, and discern builders from maintainers.

We would be honored to partner with you on your education executive search.

Our work can be best categorized between Higher Education and K-12/Independent Schools.

• Higher Education

K-12 / Independent Schools

Lindauer earns high marks from higher education clients for our ability to identify talented professionals for preeminent colleges, universities, and research institutions.

Our Consultants understand the intersections of faculty and research; enrollment management and admissions; student and residential life; diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; fundraising and finance; operations and marketing; analytics, data, and more. We understand how to explore whether an educational leader, frontline fundraiser, or department administrator has the skills to handle complex environments, guidance for new and existing programs, and uplift and inspire community engagement.

We assess management skill and finesse, vet ability to create and drive strategy, and discern builders from maintainers.

Our global database allows us to engage the best candidates, overcome marketplace obstacles, and successfully conduct multiple searches simultaneously for a single institution.

Our team also recognizes the critical role of diverse leadership that has an eye for inclusion and access across the educational field. Lindauer continues to be a champion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in higher education since the firm’s founding. Today, our team continues its leadership in the advocacy for equity and anti-racism work with boards, leaders, hiring managers, search peers, a trusted network of industry advisors and consultants, and an extraordinary roster of talented professionals.

“At the beginning of our search, Lindauer’s search consultants asked the right questions to understand our goals, ambitions, challenges, and opportunities. And when it was time to guide us forward, they were professional and attentive. Because they took the time to build trust with us, they could be honest and direct in their feedback and guidance. I appreciated their honesty and the experience it was grounded in.” – Andrea Keefe, Senior Associate Vice President of Development for Providence College

Higher Education Practice Team

Paula Fazli

Senior Vice President

Faith Montgomery

Vice President and Managing Director

Jill Lasman

Senior Executive Vice President and Managing Director

Maureen Huminik

Libby Roberts

Executive Vice President and Managing Director

Chandra Montgomery

Senior Consultant + Director, Equity and Inclusion Practice

Megan Abbett

Assistant Vice President

Terri Rutter

Carmel Napolitano

Vice President

Raegan Harvey

Senior Consultant

Andrew Machado

Khushboo Rami-Patel

Lauren Haines

Senior Consultant + Senior Director, Business Development

Alexandra Barber

Elsa Gomes Bondlow

Alexus Forte

Associate Consultant

Sonya Hairston

Industry news + resources.

Jackie Sullivan Joins Lindauer as Senior Vice President

A widely respected leader in mission-based professional services, Sullivan will play a central role in deepening Lindauer’s client partnerships and crafting strategic solutions that move missions forward.

Pace School Announces Leadership Transition

As long-serving CEO Karen Shepherd prepared to retire, Pace School partnered with Lindauer to launch the search for its next leader.

The Schwartz Center Names Dr. Michael Gustafson as New Chief Executive Officer

Dedicated to creating a healthcare landscape where compassion thrives, the Schwartz Center partnered with Lindauer to find an innovative new CEO to lead its mission of improving healthcare through human-centered programs, education, and advocacy.

Subscribe today to get the latest industry news, resources, and career opportunities.

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Lindauer earns top marks from education clients for our ability to identify talented professionals for K-12 and independent schools.

Our Consultants understand the intersections of academics and co-curricular endeavors; enrollment management and admissions; diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and access to education; fundraising and finance; operations and marketing; analytics, data, and more. We understand how to explore whether an educational leader, frontline fundraiser, or department administrator has the skills to handle complex environments, mature and emerging programs, and intense community engagement.

Our global database allows us to engage the best candidates, overcome marketplace obstacles, and successfully make transformative leadership placements or conduct multiple searches for a single institution simultaneously.

Lindauer has also been a relentless champion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in education – including in independent schools – since the firm’s founding. Today, our team continues its leadership in the advocacy for equity and anti-racism work with boards, leaders, hiring managers, search peers, a trusted network of industry advisors and consultants, and an extraordinary roster of talented professionals.

“I have no hesitation in giving Lindauer the highest recommendation. Our whole team was impressed as we were presented with a level of candidates we hadn’t even dreamed of. The firm was recommended to me by the head of another independent school, and it was the best recommendation I have ever received. Everyone should know about Lindauer.”

– Julie Faulstich, Head of School Westover School

K-12 / Independent Schools Practice Area Team

Jackie Sullivan

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Executive Search: Education

Spanning public, private, not-for-profit and for-profit, BSG experts have a deep understanding of hiring in the education industry.

bsg in the education industry

Our industry expertise comprises the full spectrum of education markets––K–12, post-secondary, corporate, and consumer––as well as products and services that include distance learning, SES and EMO, administrative and curricular technology solutions, assessment, teacher professional development, for–profit college education, and corporate training. Clients have gone public, merged, been acquired, raised and invested capital, grown through acquisition, and, in most cases, thrived under strong leadership.

BSG's commitment to the industry also goes beyond executive search. As sponsors and panelists for such industry events as ASU/GSV; EdNET; Eduventures' K-12 Markets and Opportunities and Digital Education Marketplace; IIR's Education Investment Forum; eSchoolNews' Business to Education Technology Summit; APSCU's Education Industry Finance and Investment Institute and Senior Executive Management Seminar; and the SIIA Ed Tech Industry Summit, BSG has remained consistent in its belief that competence as a service provider begins with knowledge of an industry's people, companies, niches, and trends.

Some of our notable clients within the broad education sector (spanning K12, higher ed, edtech, distance learning, and corporate learning & corporate training) include but are not limited to:

CIG Education Group

eDynamic Learning

Catapult Learning

Human Capital Institute

Penn Foster

Rosetta Stone

American Public University System (APUS)

Quad Partners

GEMS Education

MeTEOR Education

Teachers for Tomorrow

Burning Glass

OnCourse Learning

InsideTrack

Cambridge Education Group

Illuminate Education

Decision Desk

Western Governors University

Turnitin/Insight Venture Partners

Voyager Sopris Learning

American Honors/Quad Learning

Center for the Collaborative Classroom

Jones & Bartlett Learning

Roughly one-third of our clients service our youngest learners. We have worked with companies supplying products, services, and support to the full spectrum of the preK-12 market. BSG has built the executive teams of companies servicing special ed, at-risk, gifted and talented students and the entire spectrum in between. Whether a company focuses on public, private, charter, personalized learning or the homeschool network BSG has the know-how to find the right executive for the role.

Higher Education.

Higher education is an interesting market in that it is simultaneously rapidly changing and steeped in tradition, another third of our work focuses here. BSG works with for-profit institutions and companies selling into every level of post-secondary education. Our client list is peppered with pathway companies, those supporting Community Colleges, online providers and enablers, platform companies, and assessment businesses of every flavor.

Career & Consumer Learning

Perhaps the most rapidly expanding sector of education is in the hands of those hungry for education after having entered the work force. The final third of our work lies with companies providing on-going learning for those looking to advance their career and personal knowledge. Often interlocked, career and consumer learning ranges from those providing technical expertise to companies specializing in executive growth and coaching. Education is not only key in securing that first job, but also in advancing within one’s career. BSG’s expertise can help companies providing educational solutions to both consumers and businesses build out their path forward.

Technology is pervasive throughout education. Whether working within a niche or going-to-market with a platform beneficial across all sectors, BSG’s expertise helps companies hire the right executive to move past roadblocks and build both top and bottom line.

PE and Portfolio Companies.

BSG has worked extensively with prominent PE companies and their portfolio companies. We understand the sense of urgency in critical hires and the importance of being discreet. Changes can happen fast once an event has taken place and we are there to make sure that the new leadership is ready to move forward. Whether the search is done sub rosa, when a CEO is unaware s/he is being replaced, or with full transparency BSG has the team to get the job done - and quickly.

Our industry expertise comprises the full spectrum of education markets: K–12, post-secondary, corporate, and consumer––and products and services that include distance learning, SES and EMO, administrative and curricular technology solutions, assessment, teacher professional development, for–profit college education, and corporate training. Clients have gone public, merged, been acquired, raised and invested capital, grown through acquisition, and, with most, thrived under strong leadership.  

BSG's commitment to the industry also goes beyond executive search. As sponsor and panelist for such industry events as EdNET; Eduventures' K-12 Markets and Opportunities and Digital Education Marketplace; IIR's Education Investment Forum; eSchoolNews' Business to Education Technology Summit; APSCU's Education Industry Finance and Investment Institute and Senior Executive Management Seminar; and the SIIA Ed Tech Industry Summit, BSG has remained persistent in its belief that competence as a service provider begins with knowledge of an industry's people, companies, niches, and trends.

We're thrilled to announce the latest installment of our comprehensive Executive Functions Guide , this time zeroing in on the dynamic realm of sales....

BSG EXECUTIVE SEARCHES BY THE NUMBERS

“It was the best experience I’ve ever had with a search firm. I was incredibly impressed. It was a 10 out of 10.”

Brian Nairn, Education Growth Partners

"The tools that BSG used helped them understand our culture.  No other search firms we talked to used them.  Also, BSG has a unique process that allowed us to get to know the candidates more quickly, a very efficient way to do so. BSG was very professional, we felt we were in good hands. They sourced a lot of good candidates relatively quickly."

Paul Schroeder, CEO, ILSC

"The sell-side tools that BSG employs offer an innovative approach that allows CEOs to authentically share their company’s story."

Frank Britt, CEO Penn Foster

The Importance of “Discovery” in Executive Search: Measure twice, cut once

The point I always come back to is that to manage a successful search, to find the best executives for positions, real heavy lifting must be done before candidates are interviewed. This part of the search is called “discovery,” and without it, the search can go astray and drag on.

Ready to work with BSG?

Get in touch

We believe that the globe of talent is comprised of two hemispheres – optimizers and builders. Each is critical for different stages of company growth and development.

BSG's focus is on the builders.

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Leadership Search for Education and Social Impact

Since 1991 Spelman Johnson has identified and recruited talented leaders across education, advocacy associations, and nonprofit organizations through an inclusive and equitable search process.

Get to Know Us

Our success is driven by the relationships and leadership pipeline we have developed for over three decades.

We view every engagement as a long-term partnership. We consistently deliver exceptional results, helping organizations find outstanding talent that aligns with their mission, vision, and strategic priorities. Our track record of successful placements speaks for itself, instilling confidence in our clients that we will deliver the same level of excellence with each engagement.

Spelman Johnson Understands Industry Trends and Imperatives

Clients choose Spelman Johnson for their search needs because we offer proven results, excel in identifying top talent, provide a personalized approach, prioritize diversity, and possess a deep understanding of industry trends and requirements. We are attuned to the changing demands and expectations for executive and senior-level leaders. This knowledge equips us to offer valuable guidance and support in defining roles and responsibilities, ultimately paving the way for effective hiring practices.

Top 5 leadership trends in enrollment management 2023

• Enrollment managers must understand the broader enrollment trends (e.g., the demographic cliff), and also be skilled in segmentation.
• Enrollment managers are increasingly expected to clearly articulate institutional and program-level value and ROI (post-completion outcomes).
• Enrollment managers must integrate Gen-P’s expectations and college search behaviors into institutional strategic enrollment plans.
• Enrollment managers must balance tuition discount and net tuition revenue pressures with tuition pricing sustainability.
• Enrollment managers must meaningfully integrate retention strategy into the broader enrollment strategy.

How we do it

Our Steps for a Successful Search

Spelman Johnson completes an inclusive discovery process to discuss the role with stakeholders.

Spelman Johnson develops and implements a customized recruitment plan.

Spelman Johnson conducts a comprehensive vetting of the applicants for the position.

Spelman Johnson works with search committees to thoroughly review and assess applicants.

Spelman Johnson provides decision support for identifying and onboarding the successful candidate.

Applying for a Leadership Role

Steps to Becoming a Successful Applicant

Landing the next leadership role requires a plan for assessing opportunities and a strategy for managing the search process.

Curate the elements of your professional brand including your resume or curriculum vitae, online profiles, and social media.

Research the organization, geographic area, and the position.

Customize your letter of interest, develop questions for the interview process.

Consider who could serve as appropriate references to speak on your behalf.

Identify any impediments to accepting the role and address those impediments early in the process.

More Tips for Candidates

Our Commitment to Excellence is Inseparable From Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

Spelman Johnson understands that organizational excellence is the result of a commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and we unambiguously embrace diversity as a fundamental value. We believe that each leadership search we undertake presents an opportunity to advance leaders who will bring passion, extraordinary talent, and diverse experiences and perspectives to their roles. 

Spelman Johnson has left an indelible mark on the world of executive search, and our impact continues to reverberate. With over three decades of experience, our innovative and personalized approach to executive search has resulted in the placement of countless visionary leaders who have shaped the landscape of higher education, independent schools, athletics, advocacy associations, and nonprofit organizations.

Recent Placements

Spelman Johnson’s recent placements stand as a testament to our dedication to positioning accomplished leaders who share a genuine passion for making positive impacts within their new roles. These leaders exhibit a remarkable blend of strategic vision, adaptability, and a collaborative spirit, all of which are instrumental in driving organizations forward.

Anna Brookes

Sheri Neshiem

Shelly Perdomo-Ahmed

View More Recent Placements

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Executive Search

To learn more and apply to open positions, please visit MyKelly.com .

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Connecting top executive talent with the country’s leading academic institutions.

Identifying the next generation of dynamic leaders..

Whether you're looking for a university president, diversity officer, dean, or K-12 superintendent, our executive search brand, Greenwood Asher & Associates , has been pioneers in the world of executive search for the last 20 years.

Finding the best leaders who align with your organization takes focus, precision, and experience. Leveraging evidence-based best practices, GA&A designs customized searches for the individual needs and characteristics of every institution we serve.

GA&A is here to help your academic institution:

• Identify and recruit high-quality and diverse, executive talent.
• Improve leadership insight and performance through executive coaching.
• Support strategic planning by conducting academic program and organizational reviews.

Providing concierge service at every stage.

"The entire university family could not be more pleased with the skill and acumen of this firm. Their collective decades of experience in higher education were evident at every stage of the search. They worked extremely well with university staff, the search committee, and most importantly, the university trustees charged with selecting the president. The result of their outstanding work and guidance was a nationally visible search, run on time, and without even a single thread of discontent or drama."

AAU University Search Committee Presidential Search

Experts at finding leaders for today—and tomorrow.

Greenwood Asher & Associates understands the distinct pressures and challenges academia faces. Our team of search consultants has extensive experience conducting searches for all levels of education.

Successfully completed searches

Repeat client rate, appointments of people representing diverse identities, ga&a leadership among staffing industry analysts’ inaugural de&i influencers list..

Related Resources

• Kelly Education acquires specialty education executive search firm
• Successfully staffing community colleges for what's next.
• Higher education workforce benefits. What’s your strategy?

You need the best and brightest.

We can help solve your most complex talent challenges – both today and in the future – by delivering high–quality talent that moves education forward.

If you're seeking a job with Kelly Education, explore opportunities and apply at myKellyJobs.com .

Let's Talk!

Our combined Diversified Search Group Education Practice brings high levels of expertise and customization to search in the preK-12 sector.

Consultants from Storbeck Search, Koya Partners, and Diversified Search formed strong partnerships with Pre-K-12 schools, including independent, charter, public, and religious, from the start. Today, Diversified Search Group’s combined Education Practice is known for identifying new leaders and rising stars, as well as for our thought leadership in the K-12 sector.

In addition to conducting executive-level searches, we offer consulting on strategy and DEI, as well as leadership and governance coaching and training for school clients. 

Why choose us for your school’s leadership search?

Because we take a comprehensive yet flexible approach to every search and successfully complete 150+ searches in the education sector each year, we have the experience and know-how to customize your search to fit your school’s needs. 

• Expertise Led by consultants who have direct experience working in K-12 schools, our team approach assures breadth and depth of expertise. In addition to your dedicated search team, the full expertise of Diversified Search Group’s consultants and associates is ready to be tapped for your search.
• Customization Each school’s search is unique. We design a search process and communication plan that meets the needs of your school and your search. We take the time to understand your school well and to develop strategies that will produce the best candidate pool and search outcomes. 
• Research We have dedicated research staff who continually mine data, study trends, and update our in-house database to ensure a relevant and talented pool of educational leaders.
• Integrity and Confidentiality Integrity is central to everything we do. This includes being willing to turn down another search if it presents the possibility of significant pool overlap with a search we are already conducting. We have robust policies and processes in place to ensure confidentiality to the extent desired by the institution and by potential candidates alike – an important factor for all involved.
• Proactive Recruitment Some of the most qualified and desirable candidates are not actively seeking new positions. Advertising is a limited tool; instead, we actively research and recruit candidates who will be a good fit for your school’s needs and help advance your school’s inclusion and equity goals. We have the capacity to reach across all sectors, including higher education, K-12 education, the nonprofit world, and the private sector, to find strong traditional and non-traditional candidates for your search. Furthermore, our record of BIPOC placements surpasses the industry average in K-12 school search.
• Logistical Skill Because we are first and foremost experts in search, we run an exceptionally smooth process, handling potential hurdles with a deftness and aplomb that earn the notice of clients and candidates alike.
• Breadth of Perspective The Diversified Search Group Education Practice enjoys an outstanding reputation as a team of experts focused in the education sector. We truly understand this sector and the student populations it serves – from three-year-olds to college seniors, from continuing education students to doctoral fellows. 

As a proud Supporter of the  National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) , we look forward to meeting you at the next NAIS Annual Conference and NAIS People of Color Conference.

In This Practice

Peter J. Gillin

Managing Director

Matthew Marsallo

Katie Vivalo Rouse

Staci Williams Seeley

Ruth Shoemaker Wood, PhD

Christopher Bernard

Senior Search Associate

Mark Halligan

Senior Associate

Julia Patton

Lisa Solinsky

Davirah Timm-Dinkins

Recently placed k-12 leaders.

These new leaders are poised to lead and transform their schools and communities.

The Avery Coonley School

Director of STEAM Innovation

Alia Carponter-Walker

The Hewitt School

Director of Equity and Community Life

Capital City Charter School

Head of School

Sam Critchlow

The High Mountain Institute

Mary Frederick

Sacred Heart Greenwich

Head of Middle School

Michelle Holland

Greene Street Friends School

Daymyen Layne

The Hotchkiss School

Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Kristen Oberlin

The Lawrenceville School

Human Resources Director

Blair Parker

Buffalo Seminary

Karen Warren Coleman

William Penn Charter School

K-12 Leadership Search

Partner With Us

Our experienced and adept K-12 Schools team stands ready to help. We can be reached at 610.565.2910 or by email.

Civic institutions sustain a vital democracy.

Their success is our mission., isaacson, miller recruits transformational leaders with a proven record of excellence, integrity, and impact..

Building on more than four decades of experience, we partner with organizations that advance the public good.

We identify highly qualified candidates from a broad range of backgrounds and contribute to increasingly diverse leadership in our client organizations; in 2023, 72% of our placements identified as women or were people of color. 

Our consultants bring extensive expertise to help our clients build extraordinary leadership teams consisting of the finest talent in the field.

Evidence of Impact

Years of experience, developing our understanding of the characteristics that define leaders capable of guiding our clients to a successful future., of our searches are for clients who return to us after being pleased with past results., professionals serving mission-driven organizations nationally and internationally., of our placements in 2023 identified as women or were people of color., clients we serve.

Isaacson, Miller builds on four decades of experience, relationships, and strategic insights to lead recruiting efforts across multiple mission-driven sectors.

Advancement + Fundraising

Arts + culture, conservation + environment.

Healthcare, Academic Medicine + Health Sciences

Higher Education

Human + Social Services / General Civic Sector

International, philanthropy, prek-12 education + education improvement, science, technology, and society, social justice + advocacy.

How to think differently

Insights + Newsroom

How Colleges Can Perfect On-Site Interviews

Key strategies for leaving a positive and lasting impression on job candidates when conducting on-site interviews. 

Meeting the Moment During the Science and Tech Revolution

Explaining the increased demand for inaugural roles in STEM and how to hire a well-rounded leader.

Conversation with Reggie Shuford - Executive Director, NC Justice Center

Reggie Shuford discusses his 25+ year career advancing racial and social justice.

Outstanding Leaders

Our Latest Results

Howard University, President

Ben Vinson III, PhD 

The Loomis Chaffee School, Head of School

Jody Reilly Soja

University of Michigan Medical School, Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education

Louito Edje, MD, MHPE, FAAFP

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, Director

Mariet Westermann

American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, Executive Director

Michael Lee

New York University, President

Linda G. Mills, JD, LCSW, PhD

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, President

Santa J. Ono, PhD

University of Missouri - Kansas City, School of Medicine, Dean

Alexander Norbash, MD

University of Massachusetts Amherst, Chancellor

Javier Reyes, PhD 

Lead the future

Our Open Searches

Clark family foundation endowed chair.

University of Maryland, A. James Clark School of Engineering

Chair, Department of Radiation Medicine

Oregon Health & Science University

The team at Isaacson, Miller lived up to the company's core values, particularly 'we're generous colleagues' and 'we value excellence in our craft'.

Market President | City Year, Inc.

Over my career, I have had the opportunity to work with many search firms, and Isaacson, Miller stands out for its support of candidates. You strike a very nice balance between stewarding both your candidates and clients, and I felt well supported throughout the process.

CEO | Student Conservation Association

Thank you all for a truly wonderful job helping us navigate a complicated search. We were delighted with the final four candidates, and we are thrilled with the choice we have made. 

Board Chair | Everyday Democracy

From the very beginning of this search to its ultimate conclusion, you guided us with your experience, wisdom, and insight in remarkable ways. Most importantly, you did it with grace and utmost professionalism.

Board Chair | JCC Greater Boston

Our hire is doing exceptionally well, and we have gotten great feedback from all stakeholders. He is engaging and insightful and has brought a fresh new perspective to our school…It is clear that he was prepared for this next step in his career. You undoubtedly brought us the right candidate, and he is the right choice for our school community.

Trustee | Edmund Burke School

We were very happy with how thoughtful and helpful your colleagues were in the process. We're also delighted with the choice.

Search Committee Member | Society of Architectural Historians

(800) 832-8268

Education executive search, how rsi can help with your education executive search.

Are you searching for the best education professional for your job opening? The task of finding a top-notch professional in the education industry doesn’t have to be challenging. When you work with an executive search recruiting firm like Reaction Search International, you can trust that we’ll source and evaluate the highest quality candidates and place the best education executive with your team.

Conducting Education Executive Search for Higher Ed, K-12 and Education Organizations

Are you already strapped for time and feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of recruiting the perfect education professional for your open position? At Reaction Search International, we can save you the time needed to source and assess candidates by handling the process for you.

We’re dedicated to conducting effective executive searches to provide you with an educational professional of the highest caliber. The candidates we recruit and place with our clients can jump into any role and perform successfully. From hiring school board presidents to building an educational staff, at RSI, we can help you find the right candidates to fit the needs of your educational facility.

Executive Search Education Industry

At RSI, our recruiters are experts in discovering top-notch talent in America, including education candidates. With more than a decade of experience in education executive search recruiting, we’ve acquired a thorough understanding of the industry. Our recruiting experts have a track record of success in recruiting, consulting and placement in the education industry. We pair quality candidates with jobs that suit their talents and strengths, where they will perform well and contribute to the institution’s success.

Nationwide Education Executive Search Firm Network

At RSI, we’re proud to have an extremely high retention rate in the division for education executive recruiting. How do we maintain such a high retention rate? Many of our recruiters once worked in the industries in which they now recruit talent, including the education industry.

In fact, our recruiting experts may have even held the educational position for which they’re now recruiting. Because of their experience in the education industry, our recruiters bring industry knowledge to their interactions with clients and candidates. They know which questions to ask and are qualified to determine a candidate’s competency.

Our education executive search consultants are located in several major cities across the nation, so no matter where you’re located, you can receive assistance from us at RSI.

Find a Qualified Education Professional With RSI

If you’re wondering which K-12 education executive search firms or higher ed executive search firms can help you find the best candidate for your facility, trust Reaction Search International. Our education executive search firm team specializes in finding and placing high-quality education candidates. We determine the candidates’ ideal career paths and assess whether these candidates will be successful in a certain career, which will allow us to connect you with an above-average education professional.

To learn more about our 25-step process for a successful search, contact us today  at Reaction Search International.

RSI Locations

Industry locations.

• Atlanta Education
• Austin Education
• Baltimore Education
• Birmingham Education
• Boise Education
• Boston Education
• Charleston Education
• Charlotte Education
• Chicago Education
• Cleveland Education
• Columbus Education
• Dallas Education
• Denver Education
• Des Moines Education
• Detroit Education
• Honolulu Education
• Houston Education
• Indianapolis Education
• Jackson Education
• Jacksonville Education
• Kansas City Education
• Las Vegas Education
• Little Rock Education
• Los Angeles Education
• Louisville Education
• Memphis Education
• Miami Education
• Milwaukee Education
• Minneapolis Education
• Nashville Education
• New Jersey Education
• New Orleans Education
• New York City Education
• Oklahoma City Education
• Omaha Education
• Orange County Education
• Orlando Education
• Philadelphia Education
• Phoenix Education
• Portland Education
• Raleigh Education
• Sacramento Education
• Salt Lake City Education
• San Antonio Education
• San Diego Education
• San Francisco Education
• San Jose Education
• San Ramon Education
• Seattle Education
• St. Louis Education
• Tampa Education
• Washington DC Education
• Wichita Education

Our Search Firm Handles over 40 Vertical Markets!

• New account

Request Proposal

Submit your resume.

• Higher Education Recruiting
• PreK-12 Education Recruiting
• Career and Consumer Learning
• EdTech Recruitment

Private Equity

• Not-For-Profit
• Search Analysis
• Search Firm Assessment

RETAINED EXECUTIVE SEARCH

Recruiting searches for the most qualified candidates.

Over 30 years of recruiting expertise, specializing in Retained Executive Search. Our global reach and tailored experience can find you the most qualified prospective matches for any open positions.

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Looking for an Education Search Firm for your organization? It starts with our application.

Interested in opening the door to new options in your career or location?

Strategic Planning

Our recruitment process is a 25 step collaboration to find ideal candidates.

Compare Search Firms

What you should know before choosing a search agency.

We set high standards for Education Recruitment!

Nearly 30 years of expertise, guidance, and solid recruiting results provides our clients with only the most qualified candidates from around the globe to match even the most unique of position requirements.

Satisfied Clients

We've advised and recruited for 100's of repeat clients through decades of changes in Education and Technology

Our Specialties

We have dedicated our skills to select industries of recruitment to stand out in our understanding of your detailed requirements. We find the potential candidates who can improve your institute, exceed your expectations, and hold the values of your teams and institutions.

Higher Education

Tailored executive searches for post-secondary institutes: College, Universities, and Graduate schools.

Recruiting for private and public education facilities as well as local and regional school boards

Career Leaning

Internal Education Recruitment to improve staff and administration knowledge and processes.

Recruitment with technology experts who are well versed in your specific industry and trends.

Senior leadership recruiting, venture capital, and investment or limited partnerships

Not for Profit

Recruit for the management and leadership of grown and emerging non-profits

How The Hudson Group became a Recruitment Leader

Our team dives deep to find the right person with the right skills for you to consider. There may only be a handful of people who really fit your needs, and they may not have even been looking to make a move, but that's were our experience and industry knowledge really allows us to open the door to introduce a perfect candidate. To us, it's never a matter of the number of potential recruits, it's a matter identifying only the qualified recruits who will improve on your needs and goals.

We specialize in your industry and can understand your requirements better than any one else, as well as the concerns and interests of your prospects.

We have a reputation for finding ideal prospects who match, and often exceed, your unique requirements., we narrow down results and deeply research prospects, simplifying candidate consideration., results that make a meaningful difference.

Our consistent high success rate of finding and conferring with appropriate prospects, leading to the successful placement of an ideal candidate, is the reputation our clients rely on.

THE MEMBERS

Our amazing team.

Our team specializes in planning, research, and recruitment. Many of our representatives have a background rooted in education or similar structured industries, are fluent in the latest technology and trends, and are experts at collaborating to find ideal candidates for any position.

John Assunto

Jayanne Sindt

Rachel Surdel

Vanessa Barros

Get in touch, send us a message and learn more about our services.

If you are looking to fill a position, or are inquiring about a position, please use the appropriate forms. Request a Proposal || Submit your Resume

TESTIMONIALS

What people say, quad partners.

Quad Partners has been working with the Hudson Group for many years and John has provided us with good qualified applicants and we have hired numerous employees from John’s group. I would highly recommend you call John for your next search.

Keiser University

Working with John has always been a pleasure. He is very knowledgeable in the field and has years of connections that helps place people in the right fit for them and for the company using his expertise. He knows the trends and is great at forecasting where the industry is headed. I rely on John’s judgment because he’s always on target.

Our Recent News

We offer tips to candidates and hiring institutions through our news post and newsletter. We also include industry, community, and company news.

Who can we hire to help with training staff?

Staff Education and Training In a college setting, the students aren't the only ones that need to be learning and utilizing the latest tools. There are several career positions that The Hudson Group specializes in that focus on improving staff education and training, which are dedicated to enhancing the professional development and skills of faculty and staff members. Here are some common roles in colleges that fulfill this purpose: Professional Development Coordinators: These professionals design, coordinate, and implement professional development programs and initiatives for faculty and staff. They assess training needs, organize workshops, seminars, and conferences, and provide resources to support...

The Impact of the Absence of Affirmative Action on Staffing in College Admissions

Affirmative action, which aimed to promote diversity and equal opportunity in college admissions, has undergone legal challenges and changes over time. In recent years, affirmative action policies have faced significant scrutiny, resulting in some instances of it being discontinued or altered. The absence of affirmative action in college admissions can have implications for staffing at colleges, including both challenges and potential opportunities. In this article, we will explore these impacts and highlight potential opportunities that may arise. Challenges in Staffing Without affirmative action policies in college admissions, colleges may face challenges in recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff. Affirmative action...

Effective Strategies for Hiring Diverse Faculty in Higher Education

In today's diverse society, it is crucial for higher education institutions to have a faculty that reflects the diversity of their student body and the broader community. Hiring diverse faculty members not only promotes equity and inclusion but also brings numerous benefits to both the school and the students. In this article, we will explore the importance of having a diverse faculty and provide effective strategies for higher education institutions to enhance diversity in their faculty hiring processes. The Benefits of a Diverse Faculty 1. Enriched Learning Experience Having a diverse faculty brings diverse perspectives, experiences, and cultural backgrounds into the classroom. This...

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Jm search recognized for impressive organic growth & ranks in top 12 retained executive recruiting firms.

The firm experienced the highest organic growth rate of the top 20 ranked executive search firms

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., April 10, 2024 --( BUSINESS WIRE )-- JM Search , a premier retained executive search firm is recognized for its continued impressive organic growth amid a challenging year for the broader executive recruiting sector, which declined 12.2% in 2023 according to Hunt Scanlon Media .

JM Search was named on the prestigious Financial Times list of The Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies 2024 and ranked in the Top 12 of this year’s Top 50 Recruiters list published by Hunt Scanlon Media.

Now in its fifth year, the Financial Times Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies ranking places a special emphasis on companies that are growing organically. More than 30,000 companies were invited to participate and the top 500 that met the criteria were ranked . JM Search is particularly proud of this recognition coming out of 2023, a period when few executive recruiting firms reported organic growth.

The Top 50 Recruiters list published by Hunt Scanlon Media highlights the largest, fastest growing executive search firms in the Americas. JM Search experienced the highest organic growth rate of the top 20 search firms and was one of only three firms within the top 12 that posted positive YoY growth.

As an experienced executive search firm for private equity , and other growth-oriented private and public organizations, JM Search brings both functional and industry-specific expertise to each engagement. The firm recently announced the launch of a specialized team dedicated to serving the Aviation, Aerospace & Defense sector , as well as the expansion of its dedicated team focused on recruiting highly specialized executives for professional services businesses . JM Search believes that its commitment to hiring highly-specialized and deeply-connected recruiting experts coupled with the firm’s dedication to scaling without sacrificing culture are some of the key drivers of its continued growth and success.

"We’ve carefully built a considerable, highly experienced, and well-connected team that understands the critical importance of getting it right when working at the c-level. We care deeply about our work and are dedicated to supporting the ever-evolving needs of our clients, and I’m proud of the tremendous results we are continuing to see," stated John Marshall, CEO of JM Search.

In 2023, JM Search was also named in the top 5 on the list of America’s Top 49 Retained Executive Search Firms published by C-Suite CV Secure, named on Forbes’ America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms list, and recognized on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies list.

For more information on JM Search, please visit our website, www.jmsearch.com .

About JM Search

JM Search ( www.jmsearch.com ) is the leading retained executive search firm for private equity, and other growth-oriented private and public organizations.

With over 40 years of experience, our partners are immersed in your search every step of the way, supported by a passionate, cohesive team of recruiting experts. With deep sector and functional-specific expertise, we’ve built expansive professional networks from decades of firsthand experience to ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients and their businesses.

One firm, focused on you.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410921413/en/

Jessica Reilly 610-964-0200 x243

Your Choice for Successful Enrollment Management Search

Financial aid, adjacent fields, team members take on expanded roles, nes searches is now nes.

New name and brand identity reflect collective strength and alignment for future growth.

A personal, connected approach .

NES provided us with very fine candidates. I would’ve hired any one of the top three finalists, and in the end, I believe we landed the best candidate. I will continue to recommend NES. Barbara Altmann, President, Franklin & Marshall College

Experience and Results that Transform

Forge a path forward, relationships & networks, relentless pursuit for your success, your results, our promise.

Melissa Falk, Dean of Admission

Janessa Dunn, Director of Admissions

Kari DiFonzo, Director of Undergraduate Financial Aid

Isthier Chaudhury, Director of Admissions

Jeremy Martin, Vice President for Strategy and Innovation

Rock Hall, Vice President for Enrollment Management

Jeffery Gates, Senior VP for Enrollment and Marketing

Kristin Tichenor, President

COMPLETED SEARCHES

Decades in enrollment management, your search is our top priority, a team of higher education professionals.

Mary Worland Napier

Laura Robinson

Catherine Capolupo

Robin Stamm Reynders

Dr. Thom Golden

Ann Salina-Tucker

Where you’ll find us.

Episode 11: Mary Napier Hues of Leadership Podcast

What people are saying about our enrollment search services

I would not hesitate, for a moment, to recommend NES to a colleague I respected. In fact, I’d advocate for them to use the firm based on my experiences.  Kenneth K. Quigley, Jr., President, Curry College (now retired)

[NES] brought us excellent candidates. We felt very good about the search process, and we felt like we had options. They were very timely in their communications and meeting the timeline they laid out for us.  Susan M. Donovan, Ph.D., President, Bellarmine University

Robin Reynders did a phenomenal job vetting the applicants and having conversations that quickly got to the heart of what was important to us as an institution. She represented us well to the top candidates, and she clearly, and thoroughly, shared the strengths and experiences of the candidates with us. James Steen, Vice President of Enrollment Management, Houston Christian University

Mary Napier and Laura Robinson were extremely personable and professional to work with. I have only positive things to say about working with NES, and so much of it stems from how well they get to know their clients and the individuals who are interviewing for the positions. Carola Thorson, Vice President of Enrollment Strategy + Partnerships, Waybetter Marketing (former vice president of enrollment at Wittenberg University)

NES provided me with a highly personalized, high-touch experience. I always felt like I was their only client.  Michael J. Marshall, Ed.D., Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing & Communication, Bellarmine Univeristy

Mary Napier is the ultimate professional, bringing years of experience and a wealth of contacts in the enrollment management profession to ensure an ideal search process. Todd Rinehart, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment, University of Denver

Simply put, NES set a new standard of consulting excellence in our successful search for a new VP for Enrollment. As chair of the search committee, I could not have been more pleased by the professionalism, proficiency, and unwavering commitment that the Napier team displayed throughout the search process or more proud of the final results. Jackie Slaats, Director of Athletics Senior Advisor to the President, Lake Forest College

What a pleasure it was to work with NES throughout two searches, one for our Director of Financial Aid and then for our Director of Admissions at Manhattan College, when I served as Vice President for Enrollment. They took the time to develop an understanding of our institution and, in turn, each time identified a pool of exceptional candidates who all possessed unique qualities necessary to lead our financial aid and admissions operations. William J. Bisset, Ph.D., President , Lourdes University

Working with NES took a great deal of stress out of the search process. From the start, the their team took an interest in getting to know Rollins and our staff so they could help identify the best fit candidate pool for us. They really listened to our hopes and needs for the position. Faye Tydlaska, Ph.D., Vice President for Enrollment Management, Rollins College

We could not have achieved our extraordinary results at Trinity College without NES. From the start, they were thoughtful, inquisitive, and eager to help us meet our ambitious goals. They took the time to understand our institutional culture, missions, and values. For them, it’s not enough to fill the position, it’s about finding the right institutional “fit.” Dr. Angel B. Perez, Chief Executive Officer, National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

“Persistence and skill need to be balanced with patience and knowledge to achieve these important goals for institutions and individuals.”

Mary worland napier | principal & founder [email protected]  | 386-740-9597 or 386-747-7765.

Prior to establishing NES Searches (now NES) in 2014, Mary Napier built a reputation for being a strategic leader in guiding colleges and universities in identifying top talent. As a former enrollment manager holding director, dean, and vice president roles in enrollment management, Mary’s deep and extensive experience in higher education makes her uniquely qualified to assist institutions in their executive searches.

Mary provides the vision for NES search and oversees a team of experienced higher education professionals who share her commitment to advancing the enrollment management profession.

Mary has spent more than 30 years working in the higher education space. In the years leading up to Napier Executive search, Mary played an integral role for four years with Lahti Search Consultants seeking talented enrollment leaders in higher education. Before transitioning to executive search, Mary served as the chief enrollment officer for Stetson University, as interim Vice President at Manhattanville College, and in progressive management roles in admissions at the University of Tulsa and Ripon College. Complementing her experience in enrollment management, Mary worked for the National Research Center for College and University Admissions (NRCCUA) as a consultant, aiding colleges and universities in their efforts to expand and diversify their applicant pools.

A first-generation college student, Mary earned her bachelor’s degree from Lake Forest College and her master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Tulsa. She and her husband, Keith reside in DeLand, Florida, where she volunteers in the community with IDignity and the Colorline Roundtable. She treasures time spent with her close-knit immediate and extended family including their adult children, daughter, son and daughter in law who continue to inform and entertain through family group texts. Mary yearns to once again become an avid traveler, enjoys painting and interior design, and looks forward to summer months on the lake in Michigan where her kayak is just a few steps away.

“It is incredibly rewarding to discover talented, passionate and strategic professionals to lead the enrollment efforts of the colleges and universities we represent.”

Laura robinson | principal laura.robinson@ nessearches.com  | 773-576-3361.

Anyone who has worked alongside Laura can speak to her gift for building genuine connections. With 25 years’ experience in higher education and the K-12 environment, she expertly assists in searches that empower both the candidates and the institutions to thrive. Having completed nearly 125 searches over the past eight years, she currently serves as principal consultant at NES.

Laura proved herself to be an exceptional collaborator long before joining the NES team in 2015. As Director of Recruitment and Outreach at Northwestern University, she played a key role in transitioning the office to a regional recruitment model. She also worked closely with colleagues in enrollment communications and partner institutions to launch Coast to Coast, a college admission tour featuring Northwestern, Dartmouth University, Princeton University, Vanderbilt University, and the University of California, Berkeley. 

Laura has held several leadership positions in the education sector, including college counseling, enrollment management, financial aid, and marketing. Because of her passion for developing strong leaders in the profession, she has served as a mentor of the Illinois Association of Admission Counseling. More recently, she has participated in Elevate, a Women in Enrollment Management Leadership Seminar Series, and Admission Middle Management Institute’s workshop at the National Association for College Admission Counseling's national conference.

Laura realized she could have a future in the enrollment field after working as a tour guide at the University of Dayton. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the university, the latter in College Student Personnel. After living much of her life in the Midwest, Laura now calls the Tampa Bay area home, where she resides with her husband, two children, and an energetic dog. 

“Having served on the ground floor of the enrollment management profession, I find it thrilling to see the work take on new meaning and dimension through this next generation of talented enrollment leaders.”

Catherine capolupo | principal.

[email protected]  | 617-413-9911

Catherine finds great joy in celebrating the success of others, especially when their accomplishments reflect their hard work. It’s no surprise, then, that she pursued the career she did. Prior to joining the team in 2019, Catherine spent 20 years in the field of Enrollment Management. Today she helps others thrive by expertly facilitating a process that introduces the right candidate to the right institution. Over the last four years, Catherine has completed 30 searches. She currently serves as principal consultant at NES. 

In addition to working to improve the experience and success of students, Catherine has dedicated her time to reducing barriers and building collaborations among successful teams. Today, she continues to enjoy learning about new technology and the impact technology brings to the student experience, understanding how it shapes their engagement with colleges and universities, and how it changes the enrollment process.   

Over the course of her career, Catherine served as Vice President for Enrollment Management at Stonehill College and Roger Williams University. Prior to her time at Roger Williams, Catherine was the Assistant Vice President of Admission at Simmons University. During her tenure in higher education, she’s overseen undergraduate and graduate admission, financial aid, marketing, and institutional research. She is currently a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Previously, she served on the College Board New England Regional Council. 

Catherine earned her bachelor’s degree from Stonehill College. She earned a second bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Simmons University. 

She hails from Cape Cod and currently lives in Mansfield, Massachusetts with her husband, two children, and their goldendoodle. Although her colleagues swear that Catherine never gets riled up, rumor has it that family games of UNO get pretty intense.

“Today’s challenges in higher education and in the complexity of enrollment are ever increasing. It is my pleasure to find extraordinary people who demonstrate the passion and have the expertise to meet those challenges and make a difference for both their institutions and the students they serve.”

Robin stamm reynders | search consultant [email protected]  | 712-899-1479.

As with a number of leaders in higher education, an undergraduate work study position in the financial aid office at Earlham College inspired Robin to pursue a career in higher education.

She embarked on her professional journey at Allegheny College where she spent 21 years in progressive leadership roles within admissions and financial aid, most notably serving as Director of Financial Aid. During her tenure, Robin played an instrumental role in creating greater inter-office efficiencies between admissions and financial aid, in addition to using financial aid as a strategic tool to meet Allegheny’s enrollment goals.

Robin’s expertise, particularly in the use of financial aid leveraging and enrollment modeling, has led to her extensive consulting engagements for a wide range of institutions. Prior to joining NES in 2014, she worked with close to 50 institutions, assisting them in the strategic use of financial aid to enroll the “right fit” students while optimizing their processes and customer service. In addition to her consulting experiences, Robin is member of NACAC and several state financial aid professional organizations.  She also served as conference chair and treasurer for PASFAA during her time at Allegheny College.

Until July 2022, Robin was deeply engaged in the student experience at Morningside University, Sioux City IA where her husband, John, was President for 22 years.  During their time at Morningside before John’s retirement, they enjoyed building strong foundational relationships with students, faculty, staff, board of trustees and partners, and special guests invited to the institution.  Now residing in Punta Gorda, Florida, the Reynders, along with their former campus dog Boomer, are taking a quieter approach to life through community engagement, reading, and boating, while Robin continues to work diligently for NES.  Robin and John have three sons they enjoy visiting in California and New Jersey.

“Breaking new ground in higher education requires a passion for innovation and a deep commitment to hiring transformative team leaders. Let’s work together and meet this moment for your organization.”

Dr. thom golden | search consultant [email protected]  | 615-852-8466.

A visionary leader who believes in college accessibility, Dr. Thom Golden has spent more than 20 years working in enrollment management and higher education.  Sixteen of these years were spent in highly selective college admissions at Purdue and Vanderbilt Universities.  Following his on-campus experiences, Dr. Golden joined Capture Higher Ed in 2015 to build and lead Capture Labs, an advanced data science research and development unit.  While at Capture, Dr. Golden specialized in identifying and recruiting a diverse and innovative team that created the first machine learning predictive analytic software in enrollment management.

Dr. Golden adds first-hand insight into the enrollment management tech and innovation sector to NES’s already extensive expertise in identifying transformational leaders for an ever-evolving higher education market.

He earned his doctorate in educational psychology from Purdue University, a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from The Ohio State University, and a baccalaureate degree in English from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.  He and his wife Bridget Williams Golden are the proud parents of three sons.

“It is so fulfilling to match amazing individuals with similarly impactful institutions. To then be able to coach the talented people we place to help them, and in turn the institution, find success is rewarding beyond measure.”

Suzi nam  | search consultant, [email protected]  | 267-420-2044.

Suzi Nam is a national leader in equity and access in education with more than 20 years of experience advancing diversity efforts through her roles in enrollment management, alumni affairs, development, academic advising, college counseling and non-profit management. Having served in senior leadership roles on “all sides of the desk,” Suzi brings a multifaceted perspective and background to the NES team.

From her roles as Director of Admissions at Swarthmore College to leading college counseling offices at independent schools in the Philadelphia area, to serving as Executive Director of the Lenfest Scholars Foundation, Suzi holds multiple constituencies’ perspectives simultaneously. It is through these various lenses that Suzi helps institutions and individuals align and build thriving partnerships.

An active member of NACAC, Suzi has enjoyed being a facilitator in the first Antiracist Institute and a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Re-envisioning the Affiliate relationship. She has also been on the faculty of GWI (formerly known as the People of Color Conference) and maintains her work as a small group leader. A regular speaker on panels at the national conference, Suzi has addressed topics ranging from the Varsity Blues controversy to training the next generation of leaders through the Middle Management Institute.

Suzi further supports leaders as an Executive Leadership Development Certified Coach with formal training from The Academies (accredited by the International Coach Federation). Her practice is centered on transformative leadership and neuroscience based coaching; with NES, she’ll be coaching individuals placed at the dean/director level.

As a first-generation college student, Suzi is a proud community college graduate of the County College of Morris, later earning her bachelor’s degree from The College of New Jersey and master’s degree from the University of Chicago. She calls the Philadelphia area home, where she lives with her partner Lambert and is joyfully raising two daughters.

“I find fulfillment in supporting organizations or individuals who establish a goal and trust me to help them achieve it.”

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[email protected] | 860-617-7858

Ann began her higher education career in alumni relations 20 years ago at the University of Connecticut, where she volunteered as a liaison to the admissions office. Ann connected incoming students with supportive alumni vested in student success; and she developed her relationships with the admissions team and focused on building programs from an alumni perspective that supported all students and young alumni.

Ann brings holistic recruitment, diversity recruitment, and career services experience to the NES team. She is passionate about assisting others to find their pathways to success and focuses on building meaningful partnerships to serve as a resource to those in need.

Ann served as the Director of Admissions at the University of Connecticut School of Nursing, Duke University School of Nursing, and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, where she facilitated a partnership with the Association of American Medical Colleges to implement holistic review best practices on the campus.

A first-generation college graduate, Ann credits her band directors at every level of her education for seeing her potential and encouraging her to pursue her dreams. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University, a master’s degree in organizational leadership, and is pursuing a doctoral degree from Austin Peay State University. Ann is a proud native of Norwich, Connecticut, and currently resides in Memphis, Tennessee, where she and her husband, Tim, are parents to five talented young men.

SCIENCE & ENGINEERING INDICATORS

Elementary and secondary stem education.

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Student Learning in Mathematics and Science

Policymakers, legislators, and educators in the United States continue to strive to improve K–12 STEM education. Access to high-quality STEM education for all students and students’ strong performance in STEM subjects are necessary for achieving and maintaining the STEM proficiency needed for economic growth, international competitiveness, and scientific literacy (Bush 2019; Committee on STEM Education 2018; NSB 2020). This section presents indicators of U.S. students’ performance in STEM subjects in elementary and secondary school, beginning with performance in mathematics in fourth and eighth grades. Next, it examines mathematics and science performance of U.S. 15-year-olds in an international context. Finally, it examines U.S. performance in computer science, both nationally and internationally.

National Trends in K–12 Student Achievement

Although average scores for the nation’s fourth and eighth graders on a national assessment of mathematics improved from 1990 to 2007 (by 27 points for fourth graders and 18 points for eighth graders), scores have remained essentially stagnant since 2007 ( Figure K12-1 ). There were no statistically significant changes in the 2019 mathematics scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) relative to scores 12 years ago (2007). https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/guides/scores_achv.aspx ." data-bs-content="NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America’s students know and can do in various subject areas. The NAEP mathematics assessment is administered to students in fourth and eighth grade every 2 years and students in 12th grade every 4 years. NAEP mathematics assessment results are reported as average scores on a 0–500 scale for fourth and eighth grades and 0–300 for 12th grade. NAEP reports student performance in two ways: scale scores, and student achievement levels. Regarding scale scores, NAEP states that “a statistically significant scale score that is higher or lower in comparison to an earlier assessment year is reliable evidence that student performance has changed” (NAEP 2018). Regarding student achievement levels, the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), an independent board that sets policy for NAEP, has developed three achievement levels, which are determined by score ranges that indicate students’ achievement relative to expected achievement for each grade level. These score levels are: basic (partial mastery of knowledge and skills), proficient (solid academic performance at grade level), and advanced (superior academic performance). NAGB suggests that these levels are subject to refinement, and the results should be interpreted with caution. Because these achievement levels are considered provisional, they are not reported here. More information about NAEP scoring is available here: https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/guides/scores_achv.aspx ." data-endnote-uuid="5ec59946-cc2a-478d-8a55-193ffa1d8324">​ NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America’s students know and can do in various subject areas. The NAEP mathematics assessment is administered to students in fourth and eighth grade every 2 years and students in 12th grade every 4 years. NAEP mathematics assessment results are reported as average scores on a 0–500 scale for fourth and eighth grades and 0–300 for 12th grade. NAEP reports student performance in two ways: scale scores, and student achievement levels. Regarding scale scores, NAEP states that “a statistically significant scale score that is higher or lower in comparison to an earlier assessment year is reliable evidence that student performance has changed” (NAEP 2018). Regarding student achievement levels, the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), an independent board that sets policy for NAEP, has developed three achievement levels, which are determined by score ranges that indicate students’ achievement relative to expected achievement for each grade level. These score levels are: basic (partial mastery of knowledge and skills), proficient (solid academic performance at grade level), and advanced (superior academic performance). NAGB suggests that these levels are subject to refinement, and the results should be interpreted with caution. Because these achievement levels are considered provisional, they are not reported here. More information about NAEP scoring is available here: https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/guides/scores_achv.aspx . Furthermore, the gap between high- and low-performing students has increased. The lowest-performing students at each grade level (those scoring within the 10th percentile) posted scores in 2019 that were lower than their scores a decade earlier, whereas the highest-performing students in the fourth and eighth grades (those scoring within the 90th percentile) had improved their scores since 2009 ( Table SK12-1 ).

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Average scores of students in grades 4 and 8 on the NAEP mathematics assessment: 1990–2019

NAEP = National Assessment of Educational Progress.

The scale for NAEP mathematics assessment scores is 0–500 for grades 4 and 8.

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, special tabulations (2020) of the 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019 NAEP mathematics assessments, National Center for Education Statistics.

Science and Engineering Indicators

The NAEP 2019 mathematics data show that scores for Black, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native students persistently lag behind the scores of their White and Asian peers . There are potentially many contributing factors to this persistent lag, including lack of access to high-quality STEM instruction and structural and systemic educational and societal inequities that affect students’ educational experiences and performance (Bowman, Comer, and Johns 2018; Hanushek et al. 2020; Pearman 2020; Reardon, Kalogrides, and Shores 2019). In 2019, Black, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native students scored 18–25 points lower than White students in fourth grade and 24–32 points lower in eighth grade ( Figure K12-2 ). Asian students have consistently outperformed all other groups, posting 2019 scores that were 14 points and 21 points higher than those of White students among fourth and eighth graders, respectively.

Average scores of students in grades 4 and 8 on the NAEP mathematics assessment, by race or ethnicity: 2011–19

The scale for NAEP mathematics assessment scores is 0–500 for grades 4 and 8. Hispanic may be any race; race categories exclude Hispanic origin.

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, special tabulations (2020) of the 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019 NAEP mathematics assessments, National Center for Education Statistics.

Score gaps of 23–42 points also exist at both grade levels between students from low- and high-SES families, ​ SES is indicated by a student’s eligibility for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), with eligible students classified as low-SES students. Student eligibility for a free lunch program is a less-than-perfect measure of SES (Harwell and LeBeau 2010). students with and without disabilities, and students who are and are not English language learners ( Figure K12-3 ). Male students slightly outscored female students by 3 points in fourth grade in 2019, but there was no difference in scores between males and females in eighth grade. Gaps up to 10 points appear in comparisons by region and school type, with fourth- and eighth-grade students in the Northeast scoring higher than students in the South and West, and students in suburban schools scoring higher than students in city, town, and rural schools ( Figure K12-4 ). https://www2.census.gov/geo/pdfs/maps-data/maps/reference/us_regdiv.pdf ." data-bs-content="The U.S. Census Bureau divides the United States into four regions: Northeast, Midwest, South, and West. For more information, see https://www2.census.gov/geo/pdfs/maps-data/maps/reference/us_regdiv.pdf ." data-endnote-uuid="6cda454a-8a0a-4bfe-89a3-2350d5ee1272">​ The U.S. Census Bureau divides the United States into four regions: Northeast, Midwest, South, and West. For more information, see https://www2.census.gov/geo/pdfs/maps-data/maps/reference/us_regdiv.pdf .

Average scores of students in grades 4 and 8 on the NAEP mathematics assessment, by sex, socioeconomic status, disability status, and English language learner status: 2019

The scale for NAEP mathematics assessment scores is 0–500 for grades 4 and 8. NAEP uses eligibility for the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP) as a measure of socioeconomic status. NSLP is a federally assisted meal program that provides low-cost or free lunches to eligible students. It is often referred to as the free or reduced-price lunch program.

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, special tabulations (2020) of the 2019 NAEP mathematics assessments, National Center for Education Statistics.

Average scores of students in grades 4 and 8 on the NAEP mathematics assessment, by region of country and school location: 2019

Looking more deeply into gender differences, the only statistically significant difference between male and female eighth graders’ scores was among Black students, with females outscoring males by 5 points ( Table K12-1 ). Among fourth graders, however, Black male students and Black female students had similar scores, whereas male students outscored female students among White, Asian, and Hispanic students. High-SES students had higher scores than low-SES students within all racial and ethnic groups at both grade levels, with score differences ranging from 15 points to 29 points.

Average scores of students in grades 4 and 8 on the NAEP mathematics assessment and score differences, by socioeconomic status and sex within race or ethnicity: 2019

* p < 0.05. Score difference is significantly different at the 0.05 level of statistical significance.

a NAEP uses eligibility for the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP) as a measure of socioeconomic status. NSLP is a federally assisted meal program that provides low-cost or free lunches to eligible students. It is sometimes referred to as the free or reduced-price lunch program.

b Other racial and ethnic groups are included in the rows for All students in grade 4 and All students in grade 8 but are not shown separately in the table.

c Hispanic may be any race; race categories exclude Hispanic origin.

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, special tabulations (2020) of the 2019 NAEP mathematics assessment, National Center for Education Statistics.

NAEP mathematics assessment results were recently released for students in 12th grade. These results show similar patterns as the results for fourth and eighth graders. The average score in 2019 was not significantly different from the score when the assessment was last administered in 2015 nor from the score in 2005, and scores for Black, Hispanic, and American Indian or Alaska Native students were lower than scores for White and Asian or Pacific Islander students ( Table SK12-1 ).

The NAEP science assessment was administered to fourth, eighth, and 12th graders in 2019, but results were not available in time for inclusion in this volume of Indicators . The results for the 2015 NAEP science assessment showed that the average NAEP science scores for the nation increased 4 points between 2009 and 2015 in both fourth and eighth grades but did not change significantly in 12th grade. More detailed analysis of the 2015 NAEP science scores can be found in Indicators 2018 . State-level data on mathematics and science achievement can be found in State Indicators .

International Comparisons of Mathematics and Science Performance

U.S. 15-year-olds rank higher internationally in science literacy than they do in mathematics literacy , ​ In PISA, the assessment of science literacy focuses on students’ ability to engage with science-related issues, and with the ideas of science, as a reflective citizen. It requires students to engage in reasoned discourse about science and technology using their knowledge of facts and theories to explain phenomena scientifically. It also requires students to know the standard methodological procedures and patterns of reasoning used in science to evaluate or design scientific inquiries and interpret evidence. In PISA, mathematics literacy is defined as students’ capacity to formulate, employ, and interpret mathematics in a variety of contexts. It includes reasoning mathematically and using mathematical concepts, procedures, facts, and tools to describe, explain, and predict phenomena. as shown by their performance on the 2018 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pisa/2018technotes-6.asp ." data-bs-content="PISA measures the performance of 15-year-old students in reading, mathematics, and science. PISA technical standards require that students in the sample be from 15 years and 3 months to 16 years and 2 months at the beginning of the testing period; thus, students in the United States were sampled on the basis of age rather than grade level. The assessment aims to measure students’ ability to apply their knowledge to solving problems. PISA is coordinated by OECD and conducted every 3 years. The assessment was first implemented in 2000 and, as of 2018, includes 79 education systems. Education systems include both countries and selected cities within countries. PISA also provides information about students’ proficiency levels. More information about these levels is available here: https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pisa/2018technotes-6.asp ." data-endnote-uuid="6ab80468-3dd2-4c14-bd66-307f0452c4fa">​ PISA measures the performance of 15-year-old students in reading, mathematics, and science. PISA technical standards require that students in the sample be from 15 years and 3 months to 16 years and 2 months at the beginning of the testing period; thus, students in the United States were sampled on the basis of age rather than grade level. The assessment aims to measure students’ ability to apply their knowledge to solving problems. PISA is coordinated by OECD and conducted every 3 years. The assessment was first implemented in 2000 and, as of 2018, includes 79 education systems. Education systems include both countries and selected cities within countries. PISA also provides information about students’ proficiency levels. More information about these levels is available here: https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pisa/2018technotes-6.asp . In mathematics, U.S. 15-year-olds in 2018 ranked 25th among 37 OECD countries; compared to the 36 other OECD members, the U.S. average in mathematics literacy for 15-year-olds was lower than the average in 24 education systems, higher than in 6, and not measurably different than in 6 ( Figure K12-5 ). The average score in 2018 was lower than the OECD average and did not measurably change since 2003 ( Figure K12-6 ). In comparison, U.S. students fared better in science, ranking in the 7th position out of 37; compared to the 36 other OECD members, the U.S. average score in science literacy was lower than the average in 6 education systems, higher than in 19, and not measurably different than in 11. The U.S. average science score was higher than the OECD average in 2018 and improved by 13 points between 2006 and 2018. ​ Although it appears that PISA mathematics scores declined by 5 points, from 483 points in 2003 to 478 points in 2018, this score difference is not statistically significant, meaning that the scores are similar.

Average scores of 15-year-old students on the PISA mathematics and science literacy scales, by OECD education system: 2018

* p < 0.05. Significantly different from the U.S. estimate at the 0.05 level of statistical significance.

OECD = Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; PISA = Program for International Student Assessment.

The score of mathematics and science scores is 0–1,000. The OECD average is the average of the national averages of the OECD member countries, with each country weighted equally. For Colombia, Mexico, and Turkey, at least 50% but less than 75% of the 15-year-old population is covered by the PISA sample.

OECD, PISA, 2018. https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pisa/pisa2018/index.asp#/math/intlcompare .

Average scores of U.S. 15-year-old students on the PISA mathematics and science literacy scales: 2003–18

PISA = Program for International Student Assessment.

The score of mathematics and science scores is 0–1,000. The PISA science framework was revised in 2006. Because of changes in the framework, it is not possible to compare science learning outcomes from PISA 2003 with those from PISA 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), PISA, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018. https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pisa/pisa2018/index.asp#/math/intlcompare .

Japan, South Korea, Estonia, and the Netherlands were the highest-scoring OECD countries in mathematics in 2018, and Estonia and Japan were the highest scoring in science. PISA also tests students in several city-based and non-OECD-country education systems ( Figure K12-7 ). Among these entities, Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang (B-S-J-Z) in China, Singapore, and Macau (China) were the highest scorers in both mathematics and science. The scores for cities and small countries in Figure K12-7 are not directly comparable to those of the United States, which has a much larger and more heterogenous education system. These scores are presented to provide context for U.S. performance compared to that of some of its global competitors in science and technology businesses and innovation.

Average scores of 15-year-old students on the PISA mathematics and science literacy scales in the United States and top-scoring non-OECD education systems: 2018

The scale of mathematics and science scores is 0–1,000. B-S-J-Z (China) refers to the four PISA-participating China provinces: Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang.

Average PISA scores indicate score gaps between male and female students in many countries, including the United States ( Figure K12-8 ). In the United States, male students outperformed female students in mathematics literacy by 9 points, but there was no measurable difference between male and female students’ scores in science. Among OECD countries, on average, male students outscored female students by 5 points in mathematics, and female students outscored male students by 2 points in science. In such countries as Finland, Norway, Iceland, and Israel, female students outscored male students by substantial margins in both mathematics and science.

Male-female score gaps of 15-year-old students on the PISA mathematics and science literacy scales, by OECD education system: 2018

* p < 0.05. Difference between male and female scores at the country level is significantly different at the 0.05 level of statistical significance.

The scale of mathematics and science scores is 0–1,000. The OECD average is the average of the national averages of the OECD member countries, with each country weighted equally. For Colombia, Mexico, and Turkey, at least 50% but less than 75% of the 15-year-old population is covered by the PISA sample. A positive score gap indicates that male students outperform female students on PISA scales.

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is another international comparative study that measures trends in mathematics and science achievement in fourth and eighth grades every 4 years. TIMSS is designed to align broadly with mathematics and science curricula in the participating education systems and, therefore, to reflect students’ school-based learning. The United States has participated in every administration of TIMSS since its inception in 1995, including the most recent administration in 2019. TIMSS 2019 data were released too late for inclusion in this edition of Indicators ; data on U.S performance in 2019 are available here: TIMSS 2019 U.S. Results .

International Comparisons of Computer Science Performance

In the 2018 International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS), ​ ICILS is a computer-based international assessment of eighth-grade students’ capacities “to use information communications technologies (ICT) productively for a range of different purposes, in ways that go beyond a basic use of ICT.” First conducted in 2013, ICILS assessed students’ computer and information literacy (CIL) with an emphasis on the use of computers as information seeking, management, and communication tools. Twenty-one education systems around the world participated in ICILS in 2013. The second cycle of ICILS was administered in 2018 and continued to investigate CIL, with the added international optional component to assess students’ computational thinking (CT) abilities, as well as how these relate to school and out-of-school contexts that support learning. The United States participated in ICILS for the first time in 2018, along with 13 other education systems. Among them, 9 education systems, including the United States, participated in the optional component of CT. ICILS is sponsored by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement and is conducted in the United States by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the Institute of Education Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education. U.S. eighth-grade students’ average score was higher than the international average on computer and information literacy and was not measurably different from the international average on computational thinking ( Figure K12-9 ) . https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/icils/international-requirements.asp ." data-bs-content="The ICILS average score for both computer information literacy and computational thinking assessments did not include the U.S. score because the U.S. sample did not meet the guidelines of a sample participation rate of 85% needed to be included in the average score. The U.S. participation rate of 77% did meet the requirements for score validity and reporting. For more information, see https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/icils/international-requirements.asp ." data-endnote-uuid="43720eac-72fb-407a-b4e7-d4b42e7999a5">​ The ICILS average score for both computer information literacy and computational thinking assessments did not include the U.S. score because the U.S. sample did not meet the guidelines of a sample participation rate of 85% needed to be included in the average score. The U.S. participation rate of 77% did meet the requirements for score validity and reporting. For more information, see https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/icils/international-requirements.asp . Computer and information literacy refers to the ability to use computers effectively in everyday life at home, work, and school, whereas computational thinking refers to the use of computers to solve problems and includes such skills as programming. The United States scored 5th among the 14 education systems that participated in the computer and information literacy assessment and 4th among the 9 education systems that participated in the computational thinking assessment. Internationally, Denmark and South Korea were the highest-scoring countries on both assessments. The city of Moscow had the second-highest score in computer and information literacy. U.S. students outperformed their counterparts in France, Luxembourg, Chile, Italy, Uruguay, and Kazakhstan in computer and information literacy and Germany, Portugal, and Luxembourg in computational thinking.

Average CIL and CT scores of students in grade 8, by education system: 2018

CIL = computer and information literacy; CT = computational thinking.

The scale of CIL and CT scores is 100–700. The International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) 2018 average is the average of all participating education systems meeting international technical standards, with each education system weighted equally. The United States did not meet the guidelines for a sample participation rate of 85% and was not included in the international average. Moscow and North Rhine–Westphalia are included as benchmarking participants.

International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), ICILS, 2018. https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/icils/icils2018/theme1.asp?tabontop .

ICILS also provides information about U.S. eighth-grade student scores by sex, race or ethnicity, and school poverty level. Female students outperformed male students in computer and information literacy by 23 points (531 compared to 508); there was no measurable difference in scores between male students and female students in computational thinking ( Figure K12-10 ). Scores differed far more substantially by school poverty level. U.S. eighth-grade students in schools with less than 10% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch outscored students in schools with 75% or more students eligible by 88 points in computer and information literacy (564 compared to 476) and 112 points (557 compared to 444) in computational thinking ( Figure K12-11 ). ​ The difference in computational thinking scores rounds to 112 points (112.35) when the more precise scores of 556.79 and 444.44 are compared.

Average CIL and CT scores of U.S. students in grade 8, by sex: 2018

The scale of CIL and CT scores is 100–700.

International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS), 2018. https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/icils/icils2018/theme1.asp?tabontop .

Average CIL and CT scores of U.S. students in grade 8, by school poverty level: 2018

The scale of CIL and CT scores is 100–700. School poverty level is the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

As with NAEP scores, ICILS scores by race or ethnicity indicate that U.S. Black, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native students posted scores that lag behind those of their White and Asian counterparts in both computer and information literacy and computational thinking ( Figure K12-12 ). Researchers suggest that contributors to these persistent differences include inequitable access to high-quality computer science instruction and to computer or wireless technology, lack of a culturally relevant curriculum, and societal narratives about who is good at computer science (IEA 2020; Margolis et al. 2017; Vakil 2018). ICILS scores ranged from 563 for Asian students to 470 for American Indian or Alaska Native students.

Average CIL and CT scores of U.S. students in grade 8, by race or ethnicity: 2018

The scale of CIL and CT scores is 100–700. Hispanic may be any race; race categories exclude Hispanic origin.

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Russia-related Designations, Updates and Removal; Counter Terrorism Designation Update; Issuance of Russia-related General Licenses

The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is issuing Russia-related General License 13G , "Authorizing Certain Administrative Transactions Prohibited by Directive 4 under Executive Order 14024"; Russia-related General License 74 , "Authorizing the Wind Down and Rejection of Transactions Involving East-West United Bank"; Russia-related General License 75 , "Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to Debt or Equity of, or Derivative Contracts Involving, Certain Entities Blocked on November 2, 2023"; and Russia-related General License 76 , "Authorizing the Wind Down of Transactions Involving Certain Entities Blocked on November 2, 2023."

Additionally, OFAC has updated its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List:

The following deletions have been made to OFAC's SDN List: 

PUBLIC JOINT STOCK COMPANY ODK SATURN (a.k.a. NPO SATURN JSC; a.k.a. "SATURN NGO"), 163 Lenina Ave, Rybinsk 152903, Russia; Tax ID No. 7610052644 (Russia); Registration Number 1027601106169 (Russia) [RUSSIA-EO14024].  NPO SATURN JSC (a.k.a. PUBLIC JOINT STOCK COMPANY ODK SATURN; a.k.a. "SATURN NGO"), 163 Lenina Ave, Rybinsk 152903, Russia; Tax ID No. 7610052644 (Russia); Registration Number 1027601106169 (Russia) [RUSSIA-EO14024].  "SATURN NGO" (a.k.a. NPO SATURN JSC; a.k.a. PUBLIC JOINT STOCK COMPANY ODK SATURN), 163 Lenina Ave, Rybinsk 152903, Russia; Tax ID No. 7610052644 (Russia); Registration Number 1027601106169 (Russia) [RUSSIA-EO14024]. 

Unrelated Administrative List Updates:

NOLAN (f.k.a. OSLO) Oil Products Tanker Panama flag; Secondary sanctions risk: section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9179701; MMSI 354798000 (vessel) [SDGT] (Linked To: PONTUS NAVIGATION CORP.). -to- NOLAN (f.k.a. "OSLO") Oil Products Tanker Panama flag; Secondary sanctions risk: section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9179701; MMSI 354798000 (vessel) [SDGT] (Linked To: PONTUS NAVIGATION CORP.).

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State Board of Education names Ginger Tedder as executive director of MSMS

NEWS RELEASE 

For Immediate Release: April 18, 2024

Ginger Tedder

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) voted today to hire Ginger Tedder as the executive director of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS). Tedder has been serving as the MSMS interim executive director since September 2023.

Tedder is a lifelong educator, administrator, and supporter of teacher leadership. She is the former Project Manager of Career and Technical Education Professional Learning and Innovative Programs at the Research and Curriculum Unit at Mississippi State University and served the Starkville-Oktibbeha School District for 15 years as teacher, instructional coach and administrator. A graduate of MSMS, Tedder earned her B.S. in secondary education and teaching from Mississippi State University and her M.S. in educational leadership and administration from Arkansas State University.  

As MSMS executive director, Tedder’s responsibilities include overseeing all operations, functions and activities at MSMS, including coordinating long- and short-range planning, development and implementation of policies; and providing direction for financial, personnel, academic, admissions and student services matters.

The Mississippi Department of Education oversees MSMS, a residential public high school located on the campus of the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus. MSMS provides an accelerated, immersive curriculum for the state’s gifted and talented 11th and 12th grade students. 

Find more information about MSMS at themsms.org .

Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news .

Media Contact:

Jean Cook, APR Chief of Communication 601-359-3515 [email protected]

Shanderia Minor Public Information Officer 601-359-3515 [email protected]  

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