AGB Search Principals Monica Burton and Peggy Plympton, in partnership with Karen Hutcheson, partner, and Lyn Harper, principal, of Mercer, hosted Human Resources in Higher Education: A Renewed Appreciation, a virtual breakfast session dedicated to discussing prevalent issues in higher education Human Resources with an emphasis on developments and challenges during the pandemic. This was the second event in this newly launched series, Leadership Connections in Higher Education. During the session, participants were engaged in discussion on topics regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; the student experience during COVID-19; and effective ways to support faculty and staff during the pandemic. Presenters were members of leadership from top schools around the country, with participants hailing from human resources areas in similar institutions.

The pandemic has revealed the necessity for change and adaptation at all levels of higher education, and leadership should expect to update its institutional people strategies to include the entire campus community. As we move from pandemic to endemic, the importance of understanding community, student, and faculty trends in higher education cannot be overstated, and by addressing issues in each of these areas, Human Resources plays a central role in strategic people planning and leadership.

Read more about the virtual session and the discussion points here.

Participation in the Leadership Connections in Higher Education series is by invitation only to facilitate small-group discussion; however, inquiries to participate are welcome. To learn more about the sessions, please email Monica Burton (monica.burton@agbsearch.com) and Margaret “Peggy” Plympton (margaret.plympton@agbsearch.com).