Scott Flanagan, Ed.D.

Scott Flanagan brings over two decades of accomplished leadership experience to his work assisting colleges and universities. Flanagan serves as a Senior Consultant with Academic Search, Inc., the leading higher education search organization. In addition, Flanagan assists senior leaders and governing boards as a consultant and coach.

Flanagan served as President at Edgewood College from 2014-19 following sixteen years of service to the College at the Cabinet level in areas including enrollment, athletics, advancement, marketing, strategic planning, finance, and inclusion. During his presidency, Edgewood College sustained record-high graduation rates, achieved record levels of major giving (including the largest estate pledge in school history), reduced time to degree completion, accomplished record levels of racial and ethnic diversity, grew the endowment and increased net assets, and received honors for its work in a number of areas (institutional quality, access and success of underrepresented populations, civic engagement, and environmental stewardship).

A respected colleague among his peers, Flanagan served in a number of different roles in higher education leadership. He was elected for a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), including one as chair of the Accountability Committee. He was chosen to serve as President of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC), an NCAA Division III conference. In addition, Flanagan served as a member of the Executive Committee and chair for the Dominican Higher Education Consortium, the nationwide association of Dominican colleges and universities. Flanagan has served on the task force for the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) New Presidents’ Workshop and has been a regular presenter at that workshop. Flanagan previously served as Director of Admissions, Director of Athletics, and Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Services at the University of Saint Francis (IN), where freshman classes tripled during his five years of leadership. Flanagan holds a doctorate in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania, where his dissertation was recognized with distinction. He earned an M.B.A. from the University of Saint Francis (IN) and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with an undergraduate degree in political science. He is married to Krista, a professional in marketing and event management, and they have two teenage children, Erin and Sean.