The Position

The Position

Position Function

Mississippi State University (MSU) invites nominations and applications for the next Dean of the College of Business. The college and university are looking for a visionary leader with a record of excellence who will continue to guide and grow the College of Business into the future. The Dean is the chief academic and executive officer of the College of Business, reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President. Through the campus-wide Dean’s Council, the Dean contributes to decisions affecting the university as well as the College of Business. The incoming Dean will have a strong foundation upon which to build, with faculty known for their research productivity and teaching excellence, and a college dedicated to outreach. The successful candidate will possess the leadership skills, vision, and enthusiasm for the college’s commitment to academic excellence.

The college is fully accredited by AACSB and comprised of 90 full-time faculty across its four academic units. The college enrolls nearly 3,700 students across undergraduate, master's, and Ph.D. programs. The college staff, comprised of 39 employees, work in a wide variety of areas including student support, recruitment, marketing, and promotion. The college has a budget of more than $15 million and endowments of more than $52 million. The Dean collaborates with the faculty and staff of the college in the management of the college’s teaching, research, and service activities for both the Starkville and Meridian campuses.

The college offers two undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and the Bachelor of Accountancy (BACC). The BBA degree includes majors in business administration, economics, finance, information systems, management, supply chain logistics, and marketing. Specialized concentrations include integrated digital marketing, PGA golf management, and risk management & insurance. The BBA in business administration and BACC are also offered online through the Center for Distance Education. At the master's level, the college offers an online and face-to-face Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), as well as an online and face-to-face Master’s in Professional Accountancy and Taxation. At the doctoral level, the Ph.D. in Business Administration is offered on the Starkville campus with concentrations in finance, information systems, management, and marketing.

The college boasts a highly regarded Center of Entrepreneurship and Outreach, featuring more than 100 student startups annually, a portfolio of student startups valued at over $30 million, and federal and state earmarked dollars to expand entrepreneurship elsewhere in the state. The college is also home to the only supply chain logistics program in the state of Mississippi. The College of Business is associated with both the regional Small Business Development Center, covering the northcentral counties of the state, and the Veterans Business Outreach Center, serving three states and reaching hundreds of veterans annually. The Boots to Business Revenue program, a highly competitive SBA cooperative agreement, is also housed in the college and annually serves hundreds of veterans and their spouses worldwide.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

 

  • Serves as the chief administrative officer responsible for the accomplishment of the teaching, research, and service missions of the college.
  • Oversees all academic programs of the college and encourages the faculty to continuously improve the college's undergraduate and graduate academic programs.
  • Fosters an environment conducive to scholarly research appropriate for degree programs in the college.
  • Encourages service activities that are consistent with the mission of the college.
  • Oversees the recruiting, hiring, supervising, and evaluation of personnel within the college, with a commitment to diversity and fairness.
  • Manages the college's budget and resources effectively, transparently, and collaboratively.
  • Works with the faculty and staff in establishing and implementing the mission and strategic plan that will productively guide the teaching, research, and service activities and decision-making of the college.
  • Values and actively encourages faculty and staff involvement in periodic reviews and reassessments of the strategic plan.
  • Develops, fosters, and maintains positive relationships with college stakeholders within the university and with those external to the college.
  • Identifies, develops, and strengthens synergistic relationships and multidisciplinary programming with other MSU colleges and serves as an advocate for the college.
  • Develops and strengthens relationships with alumni of the college.
  • Serves as the primary spokesperson for the college in interactions with local, state, and federal officials and other leaders to promote the missions of the college and enhance its stature.
  • Oversees and participates in major fundraising initiatives and activities of the college to acquire the resources necessary for effective performance of the teaching, research, and service mission of the college.
  • Ensures compliance with all requirements of the college and university accrediting bodies.

The above essential duties are representative of major duties of this position. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary based upon needs as they arise. Other duties may be assigned to the above consistent with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job.

Minimum Qualifications

  • An earned doctorate in a relevant discipline and a distinguished record of scholarly activity and teaching commensurate with a tenured professor in one of the college's academic departments.
  • A record of effective leadership in an academic environment and an innovative and entrepreneurial approach. 
  • The ability to collaboratively shape a strategy, identify metrics that track outcomes, and ensure progress towards intended goals. 
  • An understanding of faculty governance practices and a commitment to transparency and integrity in decision-making.
  • A demonstrated commitment to the college's mission of teaching, research, service, and educational outreach and the ability to support the college's pursuit of academic and research excellence across a diverse set of disciplines.
  • A record of success improving outcomes for students, including building partnerships with businesses, alumni, and other external constituents that increase access to experiential learning opportunities, internships, and jobs.
  • The ability to foster and sustain a collegial, inclusive environment that attracts and retains high-quality faculty and staff.
  • A demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Experience managing a complex budget and aligning resources with priorities.
  • The ability external funding from various sources, including private donors, foundations, and government agencies.
  • Knowledge of accrediting standards pertinent to the college and the ability to implement processes and procedures that ensure maintenance of accreditation.
  • Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to motivate and inspire internal and external constituents of the college.

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Administrative experience equivalent to a department head or above.
  • A commitment to fostering global partnerships and research initiatives.
     

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

  • No unusual physical requirement. Requires limited lifting of files and records. Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
  • Job frequently requires walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, and handling objects with hands.
  • Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.
  • Hearing requirements: Ability to hear over the telephone and during a presentation.
  • Involves some night and weekend work and travel

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a letter of interest and a curriculum vitae. WittKieffer is assisting Mississippi State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 31, 2023. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Ryan Crawford, Christine Pendleton, and Sarah Seavey at MSST-BusinessDean@wittkieffer.com.