Casagrande Consulting is a boutique firm focused on Board, Leadership, and Compensation Effectiveness within Institutions of Higher Education.
Our independent, experienced, and focused consultancy is the partner of choice for developing, implementing, and maintaining processes, philosophies, and programs that can withstand the scrutiny and receive the support of all institutional stakeholders.
We primarily serve private not-for-profit institutions, including those with religious affiliations. Casagrande Consulting proudly sponsors the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), the Association of Catholic College and Universities (ACCU), and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).
100+
Institutions Served
30+
Years of Experience
Executive Compensation
Casagrande Consulting delivers expert Executive Compensation services to prepare institutions to address and manage scrutiny in economically challenging times. Our offerings include comprehensive education for boards and compensation committees, executive compensation process reviews, and thorough assessments of total remuneration. We also aid in clarifying executive roles, ensuring IRS Form 990 compliance, and developing compensation components such as incentives and retirement plans. Our services equip leadership with the tools to recruit, reward, and retain top talent while navigating financial turbulence and public transparency demands.
Faculty and Staff Compensation
Casagrande Consulting guides institutions through the intricacies of Faculty and Staff Compensation, ensuring pay structures are fair, competitive, and strategically planned. Our comprehensive services include readiness assessments, competitive analyses, and the development of tailored reward strategies, which take into account both internal and external influences on compensation. By assisting with the design and implementation of a clear compensation philosophy and framework, we empower institutions to make informed decisions on investment prioritization, even in economically challenging climates.
Board Effectiveness
Casagrande Consulting offers Board Effectiveness services that underscore the indelible link between robust board performance, presidential assessments, and strategic institutional planning. Our approach incorporates confidential stakeholder interviews to gauge board effectiveness and emphasizes the critical relationship between the board chair, institutional CEO, and committee chairs. Additionally, we provide skilled facilitation for trustee and leadership meetings to ensure all voices are heard and creative solutions are fostered, leveraging our neutrality to foster trust and full participation in decision-making and strategic planning processes. This external guidance ensures a clear, unbiased approach to navigating complex governance challenges.
Leadership Effectiveness
Casagrande Consulting offers specialized Leadership Effectiveness assessments to evaluate and enhance the performance of executive teams, including presidents and their cabinets in higher education. Our services facilitate annual reviews for immediate strategy and compensation adjustments, alongside comprehensive assessments every three to five years for in-depth analysis. We provide objective, confidential feedback mechanisms and act as neutral mediators to guide leadership and governance boards toward strategic alignment and institutional advancement. Through this process, we ensure leadership actions are in sync with the long-term goals of the institution.
Institutions Served
- Albion College
- Arcadia University
- Ascension Health Ventures
- Association of Chiropractic Colleges
- Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
- Assumption University
- Austin College
- Ave Maria University
- Brooklyn Law School
- Bucknell University
- Buena Vista University
- Cabrini University
- Carlow University
- Carroll College
- Catawba College
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
- Christian Brothers University
- Claflin University
- Clark Atlanta University
- Coker University
- College of Charleston
- Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities
- Concordia University – Chicago
- Dordt University
- Dream Center Education Holdings
- Duke Corporate Education
- Eastern Mennonite University
- Education Strengthens Families
- Emory University
- Goddard College
- Gwynedd Mercy University
- Hollins University
- Holy Family University
- Illinois Wesleyan University
- Independent Colleges of Indiana
- Indiana Institute of Technology
- Keuka College
- Lander University
- Library and Information Resources Network
- Life Chiropractic College West
- Life University
- Logan University
- Luther College
- Manchester University
- Martin Methodist College
- Mary Baldwin University
- Marymount University
- Mercyhurst University
- Millsaps College
- Minnesota Private College Council
- Mount Aloysius College
- Mount Mercy University
- Mount Saint Mary’s University Los Angeles
- New York Institute of Technology
- North Park University
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Oakwood University
- Oglethorpe University
- Oregon Institute of Technology
- Pacific Northwest University
- Parker University
- Prescott College
- Quinnipiac University
- Roanoke College
- Robert Morris University
- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Sacred Heart University
- Saint Anselm College
- Saint Mary’s College of California
- Saint Thomas University
- Salem College
- Salve Regina University
- Seton Hall University
- Sherman College of Chiropractic
- Siena College
- Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences
- Southwest Florida College
- Spring Arbor University
- St. Bonaventure University
- Susquehanna University
- Taylor University
- Texas Chiropractic College
- The University of Tampa
- Thomas More University
- Touro University
- Trinity College (CT)
- Trocaire College
- Union College
- University of Dallas
- University of Dayton
- University of Hartford
- University of Mobile
- University of New Haven
- University of North Texas System
- University of Portland
- University of Providence (MT)
- University of Puget Sound
- University of San Diego
- University of St. Francis
- University of the Incarnate Word
- University of St. Thomas (TX)
- University of Texas – Dallas
- University of the Pacific
- University of Western States
- University of Wichita
- Utah System of Higher Education
- Ursuline College
- Viterbo University
- Wagner College
- Westminster University (UT)
- Winthrop University
- Wofford College
- Woodbury University
Meet the Team
Frank A. Casagrande
President and Founder;
Director of Executive Compensation
Frank A. Casagrande brings over 40 years of combined expertise in consulting, education, and executive compensation. He led the Higher Education Sector at Hay Group for a decade and contributed extensively to their work on executive compensation for tax-exempt organizations, following a 10-year tenure in tax benefits and actuarial services at KPMG and Buck Consultants. With roots in education as a middle and high school teacher, and roles as an adjunct professor at Rutgers and Montclair State Universities, Frank is also recognized as a seasoned speaker at educational association events. He holds a BS in Applied Mathematics, an MA in Teaching, and an Executive Compensation Certificate, complementing his background as a retired Enrolled Actuary.
Robert “Skip” Myers, Ph.D.
Director of Board Effectiveness Practice
Robert E. “Skip” Myers, Ph.D., combines over 30 years of leadership in higher education with a specialized focus on executive roles, strategic turnarounds, and board dynamics. He has led large public and private institutions, including a transformative tenure as the interim president at UMUC (now University of Maryland Global Campus), where he spearheaded significant global expansion. His experience also encompasses roles as chancellor and president, enhancing academic quality and financial stability at institutions like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide and Daniel Webster College. Dr. Myers has an academic background in Journalism and Public Relations, with a Ph.D. in Higher Education Policy, Planning, and Leadership.
Karen K. Hutcheson
Director of Compensation Effectiveness
Karen is a highly respected authority in compensation consulting with over 25 years of specialization in higher education. As Director of Compensation Effectiveness at Casagrande Consulting, she leads the development of contemporary and equitable administrator and staff compensation programs. Karen’s extensive experience, which includes a significant tenure at Mercer and Segal, has seen her influence over 160 institutions with strategic compensation, performance management, and HR effectiveness initiatives. She is known for her bespoke consulting style, ensuring that her clients achieve practical, competitive, and sustainable compensation and job architecture programs. Karen holds a BA in business administration from Boston University.
David J. Bauer, Ph.D.
Higher Education Consultant
David transitioned to consulting after more than 20 years in higher education including 15 as a tenured Professor of Psychology at Viterbo University, where he also served as the Chair of the Psychology Department, Promotion and Tenure Committee, and Institutional Review Board. David provides data-driven solutions and strategic insights for faculty compensation and restructuring projects, and he emphasizes the importance of associating compensation with effective behavior. David has a Ph.D. and MS in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a BA in Psychology from Hope College.
Abbie Norris
Business Analyst
Abbie is valued for her proficiency with higher education data, particularly from IPEDS, which is vital to the firm’s work with educational institutions. With a keen insight into executive compensation data from IRS Form 990 and detailed knowledge of faculty and staff compensation through CUPA-HR, Abbie is an indispensable member of the project team. Abbie has a BS in psychology from Belmont Abbey College and a MS in business analytics from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Sharon Eisenmann
Higher Education Consultant
Sharon brings over 30 years of experience as a human resource professional including 25 years in higher education as the Chief Human Resource Officer for St. Joseph’s University and Gwynedd Mercy University working directly with senior leadership. Most recently Sharon has been consulting with institutions across the country on a variety of HR issues and initiatives. She has a BS in Education from Chestnut Hill College and a MS in Education from Gwynedd Mercy University.
Let’s improve higher education together.
404.200.5941