Academic Executive Search for Deans

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) is a federal military service academy and accredited higher education institution that offers Bachelor of Science programs in various fields. The Academy's academic enterprise is led by a Provost and includes 200 faculty and staff across three schools, each headed by a Dean. The contract aims to engage an executive search firm to assist in hiring a new academic dean through a formal competitive process, ensuring alignment with the Coast Guard's core values and the Academy's strategic goals. Work Details The contractor will perform the following tasks: 1. **Planning**: Conduct virtual meetings with stakeholders to understand the academic environment, perform an institutional needs analysis, develop a communication plan, identify leadership competencies, and propose a recruitment strategy. 2. **Market Outreach**: Utilize networks to identify and recruit candidates, conduct behavioral interviews, and ensure equitable evaluation of candidates. 3. **Candidate Communication**: Maintain personalized communication with candidates, coordinate engagements with USCGA, and notify candidates about their status in the selection process. 4. **Candidate Screening and Appointment**: Conduct due diligence on candidates including reference checks and background verification, assist in narrowing candidate pools, manage interview scheduling, and advise on offer terms. 5. **Selectee Follow Up**: Provide transition support for the newly appointed dean and feedback to all assessed candidates. Period of Performance The search process begins in August 2026 with potential candidate reviews occurring in November 2026, followed by semi-finalist interviews in December 2026 and finalist interviews in person at USCGA in January 2027. The selected candidate is expected to start on July 1, 2027. Place of Performance The primary place of performance will be virtual at the contractor's discretion; secondary performance will occur at the Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard Academy located at 33 Mohegan Avenue, New London CT 06320. Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail) This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent and/or closely related prior contract, as Buffkin & Associates was awarded contract 70Z03926PCGA00005 (PCGA00005) for executive search support to identify candidates for two dean positions at the Coast Guard Academy (School of Engineering and Cyber, and School of Leadership and Management) with a value of $116,000 during 02/12/26–08/01/26. The current requirement similarly calls for an executive search firm to plan the search, conduct market outreach and behavioral interviews, screen candidates (including due diligence/reference checks), and support transition for a newly appointed dean. The prior work appears to be a continuation of the Academy’s ongoing dean hiring efforts using comparable executive search activities and stakeholder engagement.