Posting Details

Position Information

Job Title
Dean of the College of Business

Working Title
Dean of the College of Business

Position Type
Administrative

Department
College of Business & Aviation

Posting Number
201201748

Full or Part Time
Full Time

Benefit Eligible
Yes

If Other, Please Explain:

Tenure/Non-Tenure Track
Non-Tenure Track

Salary Basis
12 month

If Other, Please Explain:

Position Summary Information

Responsibilities

The ACBSP-accredited College of Business serves nearly 1,000 students through certificate and degree programs spanning established business disciplines and rapidly evolving fields such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Through its academic programs, community partnerships, and engagement with employers, the College contributes to workforce development, entrepreneurship, and economic growth in the Mississippi Delta.

Following the separation of the former College of Business and Aviation into two distinct academic units in summer 2026, the University is conducting a national search for the permanent Dean of the College of Business. The Dean will report directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The College is currently led by an interim dean who is not a candidate for the permanent position. The position is available as early as January 2027.

The Dean serves as the chief academic and operating officer of the College and provides strategic leadership for its academic programs, faculty, staff, and administrative operations. The Dean supports faculty and staff in delivering high-quality educational experiences and advancing their professional development. The Dean also engages alumni, employers, and community partners; advocates for the College across the University and among external constituencies; and promotes responsible fiscal stewardship and compliance with institutional policies.

Specific duties will include, but not necessarily be limited to:
• Plan and direct the instructional programs of the college.
• Manage the day-to-day operations.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward private donations and grant funds.
• Represent the College of Business and the Center for Community and Economic

Development to internal and external entities.
• Establish strategic directions for student and program performance requirements to

meet community needs.
• Perform professional services for accrediting agencies (ACBSP and SACSCOC).
• Review academic programs and capabilities to assess the capacity to address changing

market demands, with a focus on AI-driven needs of both businesses and students.
• Serve as chief enrollment officer for the College of Business, including retention and

student success initiatives.
• Ensure talented faculty and administrative staff are hired.
• Supervise the Center for Community and Economic Development staff.

Qualifications
• An earned PhD or DBA in a business or related discipline from an accredited institution.
• A minimum of five years of excellence in teaching, research, and service at a four-year college or university. The successful candidate will meet the qualifications of a full professor, per Delta State University's requirements.
• A minimum of five years in administrative academic leadership at a four-year college or university, with experience in personnel and budget management.
• Experience with hiring, developing, and supporting faculty and staff.
• A record of, or the clear potential to develop a record of, securing external funding through grants and/or development and advancement activity.
• Evidence of being a student-centered administrator who understands the transformative role a Delta State education can play in students' lives.
• Knowledge of and experience with accreditation requirements (e.g., ACBSP or AACSB, SACSCOC or another regional accreditor).
• Experience with strategic planning that involves a variety of stakeholders, including those outside the College of Business.
• An understanding of the challenges facing business education in the greater higher education landscape with ideas on how to create innovative, market-driven academic programs, in person and online, that will attract students and regional partners. This should include an appreciation for the role AI plays in businesses today.
• An appreciation for the role a business school should play in the local business community, including giving students and faculty opportunities to engage, contribute, and learn.
• Personal characteristics to include approachability, transparency, effective communication skills, advocacy, strategic thinking, and the ability to make tough decisions.

Salary
Commensurate with experience, qualifications, and university's resources.

Minimum Qualifications
• An earned PhD or DBA in a business or related discipline from an accredited institution.
• A minimum of five years of excellence in teaching, research, and service at a four-year college or university. The successful candidate will meet the qualifications of a full professor, per Delta State University's requirements.
• A minimum of five years in administrative academic leadership at a four-year college or university, with experience in personnel and budget management.
• Experience with hiring, developing, and supporting faculty and staff.
• A record of, or the clear potential to develop a record of, securing external funding through grants and/or development and advancement activity.
• Evidence of being a student-centered administrator who understands the transformative role a Delta State education can play in students' lives.
• Knowledge of and experience with accreditation requirements (e.g., ACBSP or AACSB, SACSCOC or another regional accreditor).
• Experience with strategic planning that involves a variety of stakeholders, including those outside the College of Business.
• An understanding of the challenges facing business education in the greater higher education landscape with ideas on how to create innovative, market-driven academic programs, in person and online, that will attract students and regional partners. This should include an appreciation for the role AI plays in businesses today.
• An appreciation for the role a business school should play in the local business community, including giving students and faculty opportunities to engage, contribute, and learn.
• Personal characteristics to include approachability, transparency, effective communication skills, advocacy, strategic thinking, and the ability to make tough decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the minimum qualifications,
• Work experience in a business, community, economic, or entrepreneurial organization.
• Development of collaborative programs with other university units.
• Experience at the Associate Dean or Dean level.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Nominations for this role should include the nominee's full name, position, institution/organization, and email address. Applications should consist of the following documents, to be submitted electronically in .pdf format: 1) a detailed letter of interest addressing the qualifications as outlined in this profile; 2) a full resume/curriculum vitae with relevant administrative responsibilities and accomplishments; and 3) a list of five professional references, including names, phone numbers, and email addresses, noting the candidate's relationship for each reference. References will not be contacted until later in the search process and only with the candidate's permission.

To make a nomination, provide a referral, or for additional information, please use the contact information below. To apply, submit the three application documents described above to https://deltastate.peopleadmin.com/

Review of materials begins October 16th and continues until the position is filled.

Additional Information

Posting Detail Information

Open Date
09/11/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes