Executive Search Team

Purdue Talent Acquisition's Executive Search Team is where exceptional leadership meets strategic talent acquisition. As the dedicated in-house recruitment arm of Purdue, we take pride in driving the success of our organization through the careful selection and placement of top-tier executive talent.

Our mission is to identify, attract and secure executive leaders who not only meet the demands of their roles but also embody the values and vision that define Purdue. We are committed to building a leadership team that propels the University to new heights. Why choose us?

  • Deep understanding of Purdue's culture: Global perspectives, tight community, Boilermaker pride
  • Cost-effective solutions
  • Swift response and turnaround
  • Continuous talent pipeline development
  • Confidentiality and professionalism

Get to Know Our Team

To request our team's expert assistance on your next executive search, please reach out to Brenda Coulson, senior director, talent acquisition at bcoulson@purdue.edu. Our team of seasoned professionals brings a wealth of experience, industry knowledge and a shared passion for advancing Purdue's leadership excellence.

With unrivaled pride and unlimited potential, we're on this path together.


Stephanie Ferguson, lead executive recruiter

A proud Boilermaker, Stephanie brings more than 15 years of recruitment experience, with the last 10 years focused on higher education.

Stephanie has a proven track record of recruiting top talent and executives for various positions, including academic leadership, student affairs, marketing communications, medical and research roles.

She holds a bachelor's degree in industrial organizational psychology and is working towards her Master of Business Administration from Purdue University Global.


Michele Flemming, executive recruiter

Michelle joined Purdue in 2006 and serves as an executive recruiter and senior talent acquisition specialist. Sharing resume advice and interview tips, she focuses on helping candidates succeed, using her strengths in customer service and excellent communication skills.

Prior to working at Purdue, Michele was a recruiter for Kelly Services, where she connected companies with top talent in full-time and temporary placements. 

Michele is a proud Purdue graduate and considers it a privilege to recruit for the University.


Kami Grant, senior talent acquisition specialist

With over a decade of experience in higher education recruiting, Kami excels as an executive recruiter and senior talent acquisition specialist. Her expertise spans candidate outreach, strategic sourcing and providing interview guidance, all aimed at ensuring the success of both candidates and departments. Before rejoining Purdue in 2021, Kami served as an employment consultant at Illinois State University, specializing in recruiting non-tenure and tenure track faculty.

A proud graduate of Purdue University West Lafayette, Kami is passionate about identifying and recruiting top talent to strengthen the Boilermaker community.


Aubry Johnson, lead senior recruiter

Aubry is a lead senior recruiter specializing in talent acquisition for the Purdue Applied Research Institute and high-level searches. Before joining Purdue University in 2021, Aubry spent over a decade leading teams, working in business development and marketing, as well as honing her skills in medical and manufacturing recruitment within industry. Her career is marked by a commitment to identifying top talent and fostering lasting professional relationships.

Holding a bachelor's degree in English from Purdue University, Aubry is currently finishing up her master's degree in psychology, demonstrating her passion for understanding human behavior and its application in the workplace.


Placements

Read about some of our recent placements:

Dean Higgins
Felisa Higgins
Associate Vice Provost and Dean
of the John Martinson Honors College

Bernie Engel
Bernie Engel
Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture
Otto
Kevin Otto
Dane Miller Head of the Weldon School
of Biomedical Engineering
Kulkarni
Milind Kulkarn
Michael and Katherine Birck Head of the
Elmore Family School of Electrical
and Computer Engineering

Otto
Bret Marsh
Dean and Hospital CEO,
College of Veterinary Medicine
Otto
Patrick Sharp
Assistant Vice President for Animal Resources and Attending Veterinarian, College of Veterinary Medicine
Otto
Aaron Bowman
Dean,
College of Health and Human Sciences

Current Searches