Dean, College of Business

For best consideration, please apply by September 30.

The College of Business at the University of Akron witnessed considerable enrollment growth under Dean R.J. Nemer, who was recently named as the 19th president of the university. The College of Business’ mission—to provide a transformative learning experience through cutting-edge academic programs, global thought leadership, innovative professional development, and strong business connections—guides a 360-degree approach to business education. In line with its mission, “Experience Business” motto, and the new “Experience Guarantee” initiative, the college is focused on providing a plethora of real-world experience to its students. With a comprehensive professional development program, the College of Business has established novel experiential pathways at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. To maintain positive momentum and growth, the University of Akron seeks a proven leader and active fundraiser with a demonstrated track record of innovation and success. This dean position is ideal for a cutting-edge, student-centric champion with a history of strategic growth initiatives, significant creation of buy-in and financial resourcing, strong partnership and collaboration skills, and results-focused leadership. The successful candidate will coordinate the development and delivery of academic programs, meeting the demands of today’s workforce and students while enhancing the visibility and reputation of the existing business programs. 

The new dean will be required to successfully inspire the College of Business faculty and staff and collaborate and partner with colleges and departments across the University. The dean should be prepared to solicit innovative ideas and share with others, all while critically and carefully considering pathways for effective implementation. The successful candidate will be required to establish clear priorities for the college, communicate and champion those priorities and follow through for continued progress. The College of Business Dean will seek input from faculty and staff, administration, advisory boards and other partners.

The Akron area, rich in development and growth potential, provides an exceptional opportunity for a creative leader and builder; as such, the candidate should be skilled in working across disciplines, civically and community engaged and familiar with business development. The successful candidate will be required to better connect the business community with the University, its College of Business and its students. The ability to proactively develop forward-thinking strategies and react quickly to changes in the economic and educational environment is a requirement for successful performance in this important role. The dean will lead efforts to provide students with opportunities and further differentiate the University of Akron from other institutions regionally and nationally.

This position offers exciting opportunities to provide strategic and visionary leadership to a motivated group of faculty and staff in matters relating to curriculum and program development; AASCB accreditation; assessment and evaluation; recruitment and retention of faculty, staff and students; community engagement; research and scholarship; grant-seeking; and fundraising.  This position will also offer the opportunity to bring to the College of Business successful strategies and practices which will support overall growth objectives.

The College of Business maintains AACSB accreditation with additional AACSB accreditation in accounting, making it one of only 1% globally to hold this dual status. The College of Business was ranked among the top 100 undergraduate schools in the country and fourth in Ohio based on Poets&Quants rankings. The Princeton Review named the MBA program one of the best on-campus MBA programs nationwide.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Dean of the College of Business is the chief academic, fiscal, and administrative officer with responsibility for the college’s instructional, research and outreach environment. The dean is expected to provide vocal and visionary leadership on behalf of the College of Business, to embrace the mission of public education in an urban environment, and to lead the creation and implementation of excellence in belongingness and inclusiveness across various sectors of students. This deanship is an exciting opportunity for an entrepreneurial and dynamic leader, as the College of Business strives to grow enrollment and undertakes efforts to increase non-tuition revenue generation, further leveraging strategic corporate and community partnerships.

This position reports to the Executive Vice President and Provost a