GW has selected a national firm to assist in the search for the University’s next president, according to a release.

Members of national executive search firm Isaacson, Miller will help facilitate the university’s search for its 17th president. Isaacson, Miller will identify a “qualified and diverse pool of candidates” and advise the search committee throughout the recruitment process, the release stated.

“Isaacson, Miller has an extensive record of recruiting exceptional leaders,” Madeline Jacobs, the chair of the presidential search committee, said in the release. “The committee looks forward to their expertise throughout the search process.”

Isaacson, Miller is the largest higher education executive search practice in the country. The firm has led searches for presidents, chancellors and deans at many top universities and colleges, including Bowdoin College and Vanderbilt University, according to its website.

University President Steven Knapp, who came to GW in 2007, will leave at the end of July 2017, after deciding not to renew his second five-year contract. The Board of Trustees announced the launch of the presidential search process in June with a 19-member search committee.

Forums will be held in the fall for members of the GW community to give feedback to the presidential search committee and Board of Trustees, according to the release. The new president is expected to be announced this upcoming spring.