HEERN is a 501(c)6 nonprofit professional association for in-house executive search professionals in higher education and academic medicine.
To support and promote world-class in-house executive recruitment in higher education and academic medicine.
We do this by promoting the building and growth, collaborative discussion, and mutual learning and support of excellence in in-house executive recruitment teams in higher education and academic medicine organizations.
HEERN was founded on the idea that in-house executive recruiters in higher education have a unique and valuable perspective, and reflecting the continued learning mission of our environments, that we’re stronger when we learn from one another, and we're always seeking to grow
In 2014, a small group of university-based executive recruiters who had heard of each other by word-of-mouth began meeting for regular calls to exchange ideas, tools, and lessons learned. That group soon adopted a name: the Higher Education Executive Recruiters Network (HEERN)
As more colleges, universities, and academic medical centers recognized the value of in-house executive search teams, HEERN grew organically: one connection, conversation, and collaboration at a time. By 2024, the informal network had expanded into a vibrant national community of over 90 executive search professionals from 39 institutions. That year, the group took a major step forward by formally establishing HEERN as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional association.
HEERN is the first and only national association dedicated exclusively to in-house executive search professionals in higher education and academic medicine. Our members are deeply committed to the long-term success of their institutions and the communities they serve. They bring a nuanced understanding of campus culture, compliance requirements, and strategic alignment – providing a tailored, cost-effective, and mission-driven alternative to traditional external search firms.
Through quarterly calls, peer-to-peer collaboration, resource sharing, and an annual conference, HEERN supports the professional development of its members and promotes the advancement of in-house executive search as a growing movement across higher education. Today, we are proud to serve as a national resource, advocate, and community for professionals who are transforming how top leadership is identified, recruited, and supported in academia.