The Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees has retained the services of Parker Executive Search to lead a national search for Northern's next president, after Brock Tessman announced his impending departure for the post at Montana State University. Parker was also contracted by NMU for the same process in 2022 that resulted in Tessman's appointment.
The firm is based in Atlanta, Ga. and has more than 30 years of experience in the field. Its president, Laurie Wilder, will lead the search on behalf of Northern.
“We were very impressed with Parker's work in our previous search,” said Steve Young, chair of the NMU Board of Trustees. “While we did not expect to need their services again so soon, we have the unique opportunity of re-engaging with a firm that already knows so much about our campus and community. This will speed up the process of getting a new leader on board in a timely manner.
“One of the most important aspects of this search will be the active engagement of a broad range of stakeholders. Parker knows who these groups are; they held a number of listening sessions two years ago, which were instrumental in understanding the desired characteristics of a new president.”
Young added that the board plans on naming an interim president and setting up a presidential search advisory committee in the near future, with the hope of having a new president selected by this fall.
According to its website, Parker has conducted more than 500 successful higher education searches for administrative positions. Its international client base includes leading colleges and universities, academic health science centers, intercollegiate athletics programs and sports businesses, Fortune 500 corporations and hospitals/health systems.