After more than two decades as a university administrator, Stephen Joel Trachtenberg is joining the private sector to help other institutions find qualified presidents, administrators and professors.
GW's former president accepted a job earlier this month as a top executive at Korn/Ferry International, one of the nation's largest headhunting firms. He will serve as chairman of the North American education practice, providing advice and guidance to schools looking for talented new hires.
"I'm sort of an elder statesmen," Trachtenberg said. "Someone who's been a university president who might be able to provide them with some insights that come from being on the job."
Korn/Ferry, which is based in Los Angeles, was founded in 1969 as a service to help companies find new, experienced executives. The education sector is a growing part of the industry, said Michael Distefano, Korn/Ferry's vice president for global marketing.
GW used a similar firm, Academic Search, Inc. during its search for a new president in 2006.
Trachtenberg officially ended his presidency at GW on Aug. 1 and is now a professor of public service. He said his new title at Korn/Ferry will not take away from his teaching duties.
"(The new position) is an adjunct to my GW appointment," he said, adding that he will probably only work half days for the firm during the academic year.
Stephanie Cohen, senior manager for marketing and communications at Korn/Ferry, said that the position is paid and part-time. Trachtenberg said he turned down a full-time position.
Trachtenberg's right-hand man at GW, Gerry Kauvar, will join him at Korn/Ferry and help him coordinate between his two positions.
"When (Trachtenberg) let me know he intended to step out of the presidency, he suggested that if I were agreeable we would figure out ways to continue working together," Kauvar wrote in an e-mail.
Kauvar and Trachtenberg have been friends for 30 years, and have spent the past five years as co-workers.
GW's former president accepted a job earlier this month as a top executive at Korn/Ferry International, one of the nation's largest headhunting firms. He will serve as chairman of the North American education practice, providing advice and guidance to schools looking for talented new hires.
"I'm sort of an elder statesmen," Trachtenberg said. "Someone who's been a university president who might be able to provide them with some insights that come from being on the job."
Korn/Ferry, which is based in Los Angeles, was founded in 1969 as a service to help companies find new, experienced executives. The education sector is a growing part of the industry, said Michael Distefano, Korn/Ferry's vice president for global marketing.
GW used a similar firm, Academic Search, Inc. during its search for a new president in 2006.
Trachtenberg officially ended his presidency at GW on Aug. 1 and is now a professor of public service. He said his new title at Korn/Ferry will not take away from his teaching duties.
"(The new position) is an adjunct to my GW appointment," he said, adding that he will probably only work half days for the firm during the academic year.
Stephanie Cohen, senior manager for marketing and communications at Korn/Ferry, said that the position is paid and part-time. Trachtenberg said he turned down a full-time position.
Trachtenberg's right-hand man at GW, Gerry Kauvar, will join him at Korn/Ferry and help him coordinate between his two positions.
"When (Trachtenberg) let me know he intended to step out of the presidency, he suggested that if I were agreeable we would figure out ways to continue working together," Kauvar wrote in an e-mail.
Kauvar and Trachtenberg have been friends for 30 years, and have spent the past five years as co-workers.
