Texas Southern University
Dean of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law (TMSL)
Houston, TX
Situation Overview:
ZRG has been engaged to recruit a Dean of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law (TMSL) for Texas Southern University.
About Texas Southern University:
Founded in 1927, Texas Southern University is a comprehensive, doctoral-granting institution located in Houston, one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the nation. As a historically Black university, Texas Southern continues to expand access to opportunity while advancing innovation, research, and economic mobility.
Texas Southern University is also recognized with the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, reflecting its deep and sustained commitment to community partnerships and public impact.
Through its ASCEND 2030 Strategic Plan, the University is executing a bold, performance-driven vision focused on student success, academic excellence, and institutional growth.
Mission
Texas Southern University is a student-centered, comprehensive doctoral institution committed to ensuring equality, offering innovative programs responsive to its urban setting, and transforming diverse students into lifelong learners, engaged citizens, and creative leaders in their local, national, and global communities.
Core Values
- Excellence
- Accountability
- Innovation
- Precision
Building on its legacy as an urban historically Black university, Texas Southern University will redefine excellence by leading Texas across high-demand disciplines. Through Innovative teaching, learning, research, workforce development, and community engagement, Texas Southern equips graduates with the skills and experiences needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Strategic Framework
The University’s strategic direction is guided by the ASCEND framework:
- Renew – Modernizing academic programs, operations, and technology.
- Enhance – Strengthening academic quality, infrastructure and institutional effectiveness.
- Expand – Growing enrollment, partnerships, and programmatic reach, and campus footprint.
Priority Areas of Focus
Texas Southern University’s strategic plan is organized around four priority areas:
- Student Achievement & Outcomes;
- Academic Research & Innovation;
- Operational Excellence;
- Technology & Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Texas Southern University stands among America’s premier comprehensive urban doctoral universities, celebrated for its exceptional programs, high-quality instruction, and cutting-edge research.
Texas Southern University is committed to partnering with the local community, state, nation, and the world to drive meaningful progress and transformative change.
About Thurgood Marshall School of Law:
Admission
The mission of Thurgood Marshall School of Law is to prepare a diverse group of students for leadership roles in the 21st century legal profession. At the same time, the Law School has opened its doors to students from all backgrounds, gaining recognition as one of the most diverse law schools in the country.
Thurgood Marshall School of Law is a mission-driven institution dedicated to expanding opportunities in the legal profession, preparing a diverse group of students for leadership roles in the law, business, and government, and offering leadership in teaching, research, and service.
For almost 70 years, the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University has been a catalyst for initiating courageous conversations and a progenitor of equality, diversity, and opportunity consistent with the values and ideals of the institution’s namesake, Justice Thurgood Marshall.
As a community of change agents, Thurgood Marshall School of Law has empowered the disenfranchised and underserved by preparing lawyers to practice law and to shape social and public policy. In addition, their diverse faculty is a community of prolific and cutting-edge teachers and scholars who emphasize teaching excellence and who produce legal scholarship that enrich, embrace, and celebrate an array of legal issues and perspectives.
The Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University started when Heman M. Sweatt was denied admission to the University of Texas School of Law because he was Black. Thurgood Marshall, then chief counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, successfully argued Mr. Sweatt's case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Consequently, the Texas Legislature passed enabling legislation for an interim and separate law school for African Americans as part of the "Texas State University for Negroes," the name of which was changed in 1951 to Texas Southern University. The Law School was initially housed in Austin, Texas, but was transferred to Texas Southern University's campus in Houston.
Importantly, because it was deemed by some a "Jim Crow" institution, the Law School did not have the support of Thurgood Marshall or the NAACP. In 1978, however, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall agreed to
formally name the "Law School of Texas Southern University," the "Thurgood Marshall School of Law."
Thurgood Marshall School of Law has a proud legacy of producing leaders in the legal profession, business, and public service.
In the past five years, the Law School is ranked #1 in Texas, both in producing minority graduates and producing African American graduates.
Nationally, TMSL is also highly ranked as #2 in African American graduates. #3 in Texas for producing Latino attorneys. Each year, the Law School ranks in the top five (5) in the nation in the number of African American law graduates. In addition, it ranks in the top twenty-five (25) in the number of Mexican-American or Chicano graduates.
Mission, Vision, and Values
Mission
The mission of Thurgood Marshall School of Law (“Law School”) is to prepare a diverse group of students for leadership roles in the legal profession, business, and government. In keeping with its rich tradition as an HBCU, the Law School continues to train and educate large numbers of African American and Hispanic lawyers.
At the same time, the Law School has opened its doors to students from all backgrounds, gaining recognition as one of the most diverse law schools in the country. As part of a university with a dual statutory mission to serve as a special‐purpose institution for urban programming, the Law School is also committed to making an impact on urban community development and advancement.
Vision
The Law School enhances its preeminence as a place of inclusion and opportunity by continuing to raise the standards of equality and excellence.
Values
Law School Core Values:
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Learning
- Cooperation
- Fairness
Accreditation
The Thurgood Marshall School of Law is a public law school founded in June 1947. The School is fully accredited by the American Bar Association.
Membership
In January of 2014, the Law School was admitted to membership in the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).
The Thurgood Marshall School of Law continues a longstanding tradition of preparing leaders across the legal profession, business, and public service.
Academic Programs
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law offers a fully approved LL.M. program focused on immigration and naturalization law. This is the first LL.M. program of its kind in the nation devoted to immigration and naturalization law.
The mission of the degree program is to further the Law School's commitment to excellence by providing specialized academic and practical legal training for law graduates, - to equip them with an array of skills required to effectively practice, identify, and solve complex problems, and participate in policy making in the field of immigration and naturalization law.
The LL.M. degree is a natural complement to the Thurgood Marshall School of Law Juris Doctor (J.D.) program, which is already heralded for its institutional reputation for expertise in the field. By offering an advanced degree in immigration and naturalization law, TMSL maximizes the Law School’s impact on the evolution of law and policies that shape immigration and naturalization law and practice.
Thurgood Marshall School of Law Institutes, Centers, and Clinics
The Earl Carl Institute for Legal & Social Policy, Inc. (ECI)
The ECI is dedicated to identifying practical implementable solutions to legal and social issues disproportionately impacting communities of color and other underserved populations. Through academic and grassroots efforts, the Institute pursues opportunities to promote policy changes for the betterment of urban communities and to fulfill the mission of the Institute, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and Texas Southern University.
ECI generally undertakes projects that are interdisciplinary in nature and have one of three outcomes: (1) student development, (2) public policy initiatives, and (3) community education. ECI's operations are primarily facilitated through its four centers: (1) Center for Civil Advocacy, (2) Center for Criminal Justice, (3) Center for Government Law, and (4) Center for Research, Writing and Student Development.
Current ECI free legal services programs include the Opal Mitchell Lee Property Preservation Project, the ECI Juvenile Justice Project, and the Thurgood Marshall School of Law Innocence Project.
ECI provides law students opportunities to gain experience working with clients, lawyers, and courts through its three clinics.
The Institute for International and Immigration Law
The Institute for International and Immigration Law (IIIL) was launched in the fall of 2002. From inception, the Institute has sponsored major conferences and lectures on international and immigration law. The Institute has granted nearly 20 Certificates in International and Immigration Law to law graduates who completed the academic course of study (International and or Immigration law.)
Thurgood Marshall School of Law Legal Clinics
The Legal Clinic at Thurgood Marshall School of Law is both an educational and legal service provider. The education component is focused on providing students with hands-on legal experience representing real clients with real legal issues. The Clinic is where law students take what they have learned in books to solve real-world legal issues. The legal service component focuses on providing legal representation to people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, thereby increasing access to justice for low-income individuals.
Thurgood Marshall School of Law Library
Law Library - Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas (tsulaw.edu)
The Legal Clinic has a legal services delivery program where students serve the community while learning how to be better and more socially-conscious attorneys.
Clinical Offerings include:
Position Description:
The Dean will lead the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in alignment with Texas Southern University’s ASCEND 2030 Strategic Plan, advancing the priorities of student success, academic excellence, research growth, and institutional impact. The Dean will serve as a visionary architect of legal education in an era defined by artificial intelligence, digital justice, global governance, and evolving challenges. This transformative leader will champion innovation across curriculum, research, and community impact while preparing future attorneys to navigate emerging technologies, constitutional complexities, cybersecurity law, environmental justice, and cross-border legal systems. The Dean will cultivate strategic partnerships with courts, technology companies, public agencies, and international institutions to position the law school as a national hub for ethical leadership and socially conscious legal innovation. Guided by the legacy of Thurgood Marshall, the Dean will advance equity-centered excellence through data-informed decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration, and forward-thinking advocacy that empowers graduates to lead in both physical and digital societies.
Texas Southern University invites nominations and applications for an innovative, dedicated, and dynamic Dean of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Under general supervision reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research, the Dean of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law will be the chief academic and administrative officer responsible for formulating and enforcing innovative policies designed to ensure that students are fully prepared to become licensed, successful, and ethical attorneys upon graduation.
Texas Southern University recognizes that exceptional deans are not produced by a single career path. While the traditional academic profile is acknowledged and appreciated, it is not the only pathway to transformational leadership. This search is open to traditional and non-traditional applicants,including senior practitioners, accomplished legal professionals, retired judges, and/or legal professionals whose careers have been defined by practice,public service, or the bench in addition to the classroom. Texas Southern University believes that a leader whose expertise was forged in courtrooms,boardrooms, and chambers, or the halls of government, in conjunction with adequate academic experience, brings precisely the vision, relationships, and credibility that this moment requires.
The Dean effectively leads efforts to engage faculty, staff,students, alumni, community members, and business representatives in support of the Law School’s development and growth. The Dean ensures that the Law School contributes to society through teaching, scholarship, and service. The Law School is recognized as a strategic ‘pillar program’ within the University’s academic portfolio. The candidate will strategically lead fundraising initiatives to generate revenue to advance the School's objectives and support students. The Dean must manage a clear vision for consistently increasing the Law School's bar passage rate and stature on the local and national stages. The Dean will serve and advance the School’s interests on the Deans' Council.
Duties and Responsibilties:
As leader of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, the Dean will:
- Create the infrastructure and control that cultivate an environment of academic excellence through high student engagement, exceptional teaching, faculty research, and a rigorous curriculum designed to produce consistently competitive bar performance scores.
- Supervise the Law School's daily operations, budget management,student recruitment, and academic activities;
- Establish priorities and sustain an environment of academic excellence through the development and assessment of curricular, research,collaborative, and partnership initiatives;
- Monitor the progress towards the Law School’s goals, leading the faculty, staff, and/or administrators to adjust the goals as needed and appropriate;
- Maintain accountability of all Law School’s programs, personnel,and systems;
- Position the Law School to continue to meet and exceed ABA standards;
- Oversee all Thurgood Marshall School of Law assessment activities;
- Develop long-term goals for the Law School and implement plans for achieving them through high-quality programming in conjunction with the Provost;
- Implement, monitor, and adjust programmatic activities to accomplish the policies established by the faculty in alignment with the delivery and evaluation of the curriculum of all Thurgood Marshall School of Law programs;
- Coordinate with the faculty to uphold the qualifications for admission to the Law School;
- Ensure that suitable student performance standards are maintained and make the final decision regarding probation or dismissal of students for unacceptable performance and/or nonprofessional behavior;
- Advance a research environment aligned with the university's and broader community's relevant needs;
- Promote productive collaborative research initiatives and submission of grant proposals to increase scholarly research activities in the college and University;
- Foster positive relationships with the University, Law School alumni, and the state and local bar;
- Maintain Association of American Law Schools Membership by encouraging consistent scholarship;
- The Dean represents the Law School at official University functions with the Board of Regents and other university administration, the external community, local, state, national, and international officials and organizations, alumni, and donors. The Dean is active in professional community activities, assuming leadership appropriate for organizations and committees.
- Oversee faculty recruitment, research, teaching, and compensation;
- Encourage and promote professional development of faculty and staff;
- Promote an environment that attracts, retains, and develops outstanding faculty, administrators, and staff;
- Review and approve matters such as appointment, continued employment, promotion, and tenure, and personnel matters, such as compensation,family medical leave, etc., in accordance with university policies and procedures;
- Raise revenue for the Law school's development initiatives through sustained institutional and external fundraising, including, but not limited to, grants, partnerships, gifts, and capital campaigns;
- Collaborate with Thurgood Marshall School of Law’s leadership to create a marketing plan to increase internal and external visibility to the University and Law School;
- The Dean leads fundraising efforts in collaboration with upper administration, faculty, staff, students, alumni, the community, and the college's strategic partners to position the Law School to achieve objectives and support students.
- Ensure that the Thurgood Marshall School of Law’s infrastructure, facilities, and resources are properly maintained to foster academic and research excellence;
- Work with the college and university advancement staff in setting goals, developing strategies, and implementing action plans to meet those goals;
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Mininum Requirements
- A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school;
- A distinguished career in legal education, and/or law, whether in practice, on the bench, in government, or a combination thereof;
- Demonstrated leadership and management experience, with the ability to lead and inspire diverse teams and constituents;
- A record of achievement that commands the respect of the legal profession and the academic community;
- Genuine commitment to Thurgood Marshall School of Law’s mission of access, equity, and the preparation of diverse legal talent;
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
Preferred
- Ability to develop and execute a compelling, forward-looking strategic vision for the Law School in partnership with faculty and staff,associated with the ASCEND 2030 strategic plan;
- Experience in legal education (as a faculty member,administrator, adjunct professor, mentor, or contributor to Law School programming);
- Demonstrated success in fundraising, development, or business development;
- Strong ties to the legal and civic community;
- Experience with budget management and strategic planning;
- Executive Leadership within a legal services organization or related role;
- Active engagement in legal education through mentorship, bar leadership, CLE instruction, adjunct teaching, or law school advisory roles.
Leadership Profile
Visionary with Roots in Practice. The next Dean understands the law from the inside:how it is practiced, how it is argued, how it changes lives, and how it is changing to fit the future. They bring a practitioner's credibility and aleader's vision for what legal education can and should be.
Champion for Students. Thurgood Marshall School of Law students are talented and determined, yet often navigate significant barriers to success. The Dean believes deeply in their potential, advocates fiercely on their behalf, and makes their success the north star of every institutional decision. Equipping students to meet the legal requirements for the future.
Builder of Relationships. Great deans open doors. The next Dean will leverage their professional network, their personal standing, and their institutional role to create opportunities for students, faculty, and the school that would not otherwise exist.
Fundraiser and Revenue Strategist. Thurgood Marshall School of Law’s next chapter requires investment. The Dean will be comfortable and effective in development conversations, alumni engagement, and the cultivation of philanthropic and corporate partnerships to expand revenue streams supporting the Law School’s work.
A Steady, Trusted Leader. Law schools are communities of high-achieving, opinionated, and independent-minded people. The Dean of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law leads with credibility, integrity, and the ability to build consensus without sacrificing decisiveness, while fostering collective buy-in for future change.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements
Licensed to practice law in any jurisdiction.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Experience and Knowledge:
- Experience engaging with legal education through leadership,teaching, legal practice, public service, mentorship, or institutional partnership;
- Understanding of curriculum development, academic program innovation, and experiential learning opportunities;
- Knowledge of ABA accreditation standards and related regulatory and compliance environments;
- Experience leading or supporting accreditation, assessment, or institutional review processes;
- Demonstrated commitment to innovative and technology-enabled approaches to teaching and learning;
- Experience developing and implementing policies, procedures, and operational practices;
- Experience leading complex organizations, teams, budgets, and strategic initiatives;
- Familiarity with higher education systems, administrative technologies, and data-informed decision-making tools;
- Strong understanding of organizational leadership, personnel management, and supervisory practices.
Skills
- Build and lead diverse, high-performing teams and academic or professional programs;
- Advance experiential learning opportunities, including clinics,trial advocacy, and practice-based education;
- Strategic planning, analytics, and organizational problem-solving;
- Fundraising, relationship management, and external engagement;
- Financial oversight and budget management;
- Research development, partnership cultivation, and grant support;
- Manage multiple priorities in dynamic and evolving environments;
- Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills;
- Collaborate effectively with diverse faculty, students, staff,alumni, and external stakeholders.
Ability to
- Serve as a visible and effective advocate for the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, its students, faculty, staff, and alumni;
- Build multidisciplinary collaborations and strategic partnerships locally, nationally, and globally;
- Foster an inclusive, innovative, and student-centered culture;
- Understand and support the evolving needs of faculty, staff,students, and the legal profession;
- Lead with sound judgment, transparency, and strategic vision;
- Strengthen institutional reputation, visibility, and community engagement;
- Effectively manage people, resources, and organizational relationships;
- Advance innovative approaches to legal education and professional preparation.
Characteristics
- Demonstrate high integrity, leadership, and courage;
- Understanding of how to drive change;
- High emotional intelligence;
- Good listener and offers good judgment;
- Bold, visionary, collaborative, data-driven leader;
- Innovative people who can lead change in education and administration, with innovative ideas;
- Operate with a sense of urgency.
Senior Management:
James W. Crawford III
President of Texas Southern University
Vice Admiral, JAGC, U.S. Navy (Retired)
James W. Crawford III, Vice Admiral, JAGC, U.S. Navy (Retired),is the 14th President of Texas Southern University (TSU). He was appointed by the TSU Board of Regents in May 2024. Crawford is a decorated veteran,strategic planner and decision-maker, academic leader, collaborator, and problem solver governed by three guiding principles: faith, family, andservice.
Crawford was appointed by President Obama as the 43rd Judge Advocate General of the Navy. He served as the principal military legal counsel to the Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations, and the Department of Defense Representative for Ocean Policy Affairs (REPOPA). He also led over 2,300 attorneys, enlisted paralegals, and civilian employees of the world wide Navy JAG Corps community.
A 1979 student-athlete graduate of Belmont Abbey College, he was commissioned through the JAG Corps Student Program in 1983, following graduation from the University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill.He later earned a Master of Laws degree (Ocean and Coastal Law) from the University of Miami School of Law and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. In 2008, he was named an MIT Seminar XXI Fellow.
Crawford previously served as a consultant on International Humanitarian Law for Palantir Technologies for developing artificial intelligence solutions to improve protections for civilians and civilian infrastructure during armed conflict. From 2020 to 2023, he served as the first male president of Felician University, a 2,100-student Roman Catholic university in Lodi and Rutherford, NJ. He is well-recognized for steering the University through the COVID-19 pandemic and securing $17 million in grants for university capital improvements, including expansion of the University’s technology infrastructure and STEM programming while delivering a premium educational experience to the underserved and first-generation student population of New Jersey.
As president, Crawford re energized the staff and faculty by restructuring the executive leadership team, increasing faculty involvement in university affairs, and establishing a Staff Assembly to operate as part of the shared governance apparatus of the institution. He also completely rebuilt and revitalized the University’s relationship with the Borough of Rutherford Mayor,City Council and Chief of Police.
Prior to arriving at Felician, Crawford served as Chairman of the Bishop’s Advisory Council on Racism for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington,VA, from 2019 to 2022 and drafted the charter for the organization. He is amember of the Board of Directors for the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children, Arch Diocese of Newark, NJ, and is serving his second three-year termon the Board of Trustees for Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, NC. He also served as an inaugural member of the Council of Presidents, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges from 2022 to 2023. Initially a plenary member of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, he later served on the Executive Committee from 2021 to 2023.
Crawford’s distinguished naval service includes Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy and Commander of the Naval Legal Service Command,where he led the judge advocates, enlisted paralegals, and civilian employees of 14 Navy commands worldwide from 2012 to 2015; served as Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 2007-2011, and Commander of NATO Rule of Law Field Support Mission/Rule of Law Field Force - Afghanistan 2011-2012.
Personal decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal for his service as the Judge Advocate General, a second Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal (three awards), the Legion of Merit(three awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Crawford and his wife, Elizabeth, have twin teenage sons, Nicholas, and Alexander.
Dr. Carl Goodman
Provost
Dr. Carl Goodman arrived at TSU on July 1, 2023, as the chief academic officer responsible for advancing the academic enterprise of the university. He joined TSU from Bowie State University (BSU), where, for three years, he served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. As chief academic officer, Dr. Goodman was responsible for leading academic growth and research innovation.
Prior to joining BSU, Dr. Goodman was with Florida A&M University (FAMU), where he served as associate provost for academic affairs and student services. He was responsible for assuring the quality of academic programs and curricula reviews, self-study reports and specialized accreditation activities of the 13 colleges and schools. An effective champion of student success, during his tenure at FAMU, Dr. Goodman made remarkable achievements with enhancing the undergraduate education and student success areas, improving the university’s six-year graduation rate by nearly 15 percent in four years, retention rates and the reduction of excess credit hours. He accomplished those outcomes by implementing the FAMU’s first Early Alert System and a Finish in Four Program to improve the four-year graduation rates.
He has enjoyed more nearly 30 years of a distinguished career in teaching, research, and service in FAMU’s flagship program, the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, recognized as a top five pharmacy program in generating U.S. patents. As assistant dean for research and graduate studies and as the pharmaceutical sciences division director, he restructured a vibrant graduate program through faculty development, key hires, and student recruitment. He also developed a new Bachelor of Science program in the pharmaceutical sciences in the college. Dr. Goodman has a strong track record in securing grants, with more than $39 million in research and student training grants awarded to strengthen FAMU’s research capacity and infrastructure.
Additionally, Dr. Goodman has extensive experience as are searcher on grant-funded programs and is passionate about providing research opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. Asco-principal investigator for the FAMU Research Centers in Minority Institutions Program, he directed a $14.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institution for Minority Health and Health Disparity. He has co-authored or authored more than 39 peer-reviewed articles. His research interests include the molecular and cellular basis of opioid tolerance and addiction.
Dr. Goodman holds a doctoral degree in pharmacology/toxicology from Florida A&M University and a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from Jacksonville University. He was a postdoctoral NIH fellow at the National Institute of Drug Abuse.
Location:
Located in the heart of Houston, the fourth-largest city in the U.S., Texas Southern University thrives in a city known for its diverse culture, dynamic business environment, and flourishing arts scene. As a global leader in the energy sector, Houston offers an exceptional quality of life, making Texas Southern a prime destination for higher education.
Established in 1927, the University has grown into a 150-acre campus near downtown Houston, featuring 45 state-of-the-art facilities, including three professional schools, a music recital hall, an 8,100-seat arena, and modern living and recreational spaces. As a Historically Black College or University, Texas Southern University remains committed to academic excellence, innovation, and student success.
The Library Learning Center serves as a hub for collaborative learning and innovative services, featuring special collections like the Barbara Jordan Archives, the Traditional African Art Gallery, the Heartman Collection, and the University Archives.
Texas Southern University in the News:
March 12, 2026
Texas Southern University Board of Regents Approves "Ascend 2030" Strategic Plan
March 31, 2026
February 27, 2026
Texas Southern University Achieves Significant Gains in Student Academic Success Metrics
February 24, 2026
Interview Process:
ZRG provides our global Clients with a rigorous and patented assessment platform grounded in data and analytics. Our interview process includes the following:
- Initial interviews with ZRG
- ZRG presentation of candidates to Client for calibration and discussion; Client selects candidates for consideration and initial interviews
- Candidates complete ZRG’s online assessment
- Finalist candidates advance to second and third round interviews with broader leadership team
- Formal referencing
- Offer extended[JC1]
About ZRG:
ZRG is a global talent advisory firm that is changing the way companies hire and manage talent. ZRG’s data-driven approach to executive and professional search has been changing the way clients think about how to find top talent. The company’s digital Zi platform combines talent intelligence,candidate insights, and process improvement to dramatically deliver executive searches more quickly and with proven better results.
Dakota Doman
Managing Director
Dakota Doman is a dynamic and visionary executive with more than 15 years of leadership experience spanning higher education administration,executive search, organizational strategy, and governmental affairs. He is a Managing Director in ZRG’s Education Practice, bringing a comprehensive perspective on leadership needs within academic institutions, especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Before ZRG, Dakota was the President and Managing Principal ofTM2 Executive Search, the only search firm founded to provide executive talent solutions to HBCUs, where his work focused on inclusive leadership recruitment,strategic talent pipelines, and governance transformation, contributing to successful placements in C-suite and senior academic roles across the country
Link to complete bio for Dakota Doman.
Jerel Booker
Principal
Jerel Booker is a seasoned executive specializing in talent strategy, organizational growth, and executive search, with over two decades of leadership experience across higher education, K–12, and nonprofit sectors.Most recently, he served as Associate Managing Principal and Chief Operating Officer at TM² Executive Search, where he conducted national executive searches and oversaw enterprise operations - aligning people, processes, and performance t o drive organizational growth and client impact.
Link to complete bio for Jerel Booker.
Kelly Lewis
Client Experience Manager
People Culture & Inclusion Lead
Kelly Lewis is a Client Experience Manager at ZRG, where she serves as a key partner to client engagement and executive search teams. In this role, she leads end-to-end project execution and administration,coordinating across clients, candidates, Managing Directors, and internal teams to ensure seamless search delivery. She plays a central role in driving operational excellence, maintaining timeline adherence, and delivering a consistently high-touch client and candidate experience in a fast-paced executive search environment.
Experience
Kelly brings seven years of executive search experience,supporting and helping deliver senior-level searches across ZRGS's sports,media, and entertainment practice. Her work has spanned full-cycle search operations, research coordination, candidate and client engagement, and the management of complex, multi-stakeholder processes supporting senior leadership placements.
She comes to ZRG after serving as a Research and Recruiting Associate for Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates, a top executive search firm specializing in higher education, where she supported leadership searches for nonprofit, civic-centered entities, and colleges and universities nationwide.Kelly previously worked at the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Minority Serving Institutions and began her career as a Teach For America educator in Houston.
Throughout her career, Kelly has been actively engaged in advancing access and representation within executive search and the broader talent ecosystem. She has partnered with organizations and initiatives focused on expanding opportunities for historically underrepresented communities and strengthening pathways into corporate and nonprofit leadership roles.
Education
Kelly holds a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor.
