Dean, Fogelman College of Business & Economics

The University of Memphis seeks nominations and applications for the position of Dean for the Fogelman College of Business & Economics (FCBE). The University is seeking an innovative Dean to provide strategic leadership for the FCBE. The desired candidate will have a proven track record of delivering results, leading change, implementing innovative solutions, developing their team and working collaboratively across a complex organization and a broad range of community partners.

About the Position

The Dean serves as a senior administrative officer who reports directly to the Provost and is responsible for the academic, programmatic, administrative and fiscal leadership of the FCBE.

Major Responsibilities

  • Serves as the chief academic and executive officer for the Fogelman College of Business & Economics.
  • Engages in fundraising and development activities to support the vision and mission of the College.
  • Oversees assessment and AACSB International accreditation experience.
  • Leads global and local engagement, research, undergraduate and graduate education and success; faculty, staff and student development; grants and other external funding.
  • Directs academic and strategic planning for the College and enhances its image and brand.
  • Works with faculty to provide support for undergraduate and graduate curricular improvement and innovation.

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Record of distinction in teaching, research and scholarly activity that is commensurate for the appointment of full professor with tenure.
  • Demonstrated ability to motivate stakeholders and to develop and engage in collaborative relationships.
  • Demonstrated ability to participate in shared governance.
  • Proven record of significant fundraising and major gift acquisition that will allow the College to reach its goals and objectives.
  • Strong commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion as well as community-wide social justice initiatives.
  • Ability to foster partnerships and programs to advance the College’s and University’s goals.
  • Demonstrated ability to enhance brand management in business or higher education.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • High energy coupled with enthusiastic leadership abilities.
  • Broad understanding of the direction of business education and research and the ability to articulate the College’s vision that positions the College as a successful enterprise.
  • Corporate or consultancy experience with the private business sector.


The University of Memphis

The University of Memphis (UofM) is a leading, student-centered, urban public research institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The University serves a population of more than 21,000 students and 4,300 employees including 1,052 full-time faculty; offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 220 areas of study, master’s degrees in 56 subjects, and doctoral degrees in 31 disciplines; supports $55 million in research funding and has an operating budget of $500 million.

Core values at the University of Memphis include student success and access as well as diversity and inclusion. Our campus is a joyful and welcoming place with students from different backgrounds — each contributing something special to campus. Fifty percent of our undergrads identify as people of color and 31% of UofM undergraduates are the first in their family to attend college. More than 90% of our full-time freshmen receive financial aid, and once enrolled, are supported through ACCESS MEMPHIS programs, dedicated to helping keep them in school and meeting educational goals. In addition, more than 55% of first-time freshmen are eligible for Pell grants.

UofM is one of two flagship public universities in Tennessee. From record-breaking fundraising and enrollment to all-time-high retention and graduation rates to rising national rankings and research excellence — progress at the UofM can’t be denied. Located in the heart of culture-rich Memphis, the University of Memphis is experiencing enormous growth and development — a huge transformation since our founding in 1912. In 2021, the University of Memphis was named an R1 institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, putting the UofM in the top tier of research universities nationally. This milestone solidifies the University as one of two flagship public institutions in Tennessee. Carnegie R1 status is a credit to the vision, work ethic and dedication of the faculty, staff and leadership at the UofM.

The UofM is ranked among the world’s top universities in the 2021 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, only one of three to make the list from the State of Tennessee. We’re currently the second-largest university in Tennessee and proud to have the largest enrollment percentage increase from fall 2019 to fall 2020 among locally governed institutions in the state.

The University's main campus is located on 1,160 acres in the heart of Memphis. The University also holds classes throughout Tennessee at satellite locations in Millington. The University of Memphis is governed by its own independent Board of Trustees.

In August 2011, the University of Memphis also began offering classes at the Lambuth campus in Jackson. The former private university was forced to cease independent operation in May 2011 due to dwindling fiscal resources. Recognizing the important role the school had played in higher education in West Tennessee, civic leaders and government officials worked to maintain the Lambuth campus as a part of the University of Memphis. In January 2012, the UofM flag was raised and the University of Memphis Lambuth Campus officially came into existence.

In 2017, the University launched UofM Global, to serve as home to the institution’s online degree programs. Today, more than 5,000 students from 46 states and several foreign countries are completing their studies through one of the University’s 130 undergraduate or graduate, fully online programs. 

The University of Memphis President

Dr. Bill Hardgrave began serving as the 13th President of the University of Memphis on April 1, 2022. Prior to joining the University of Memphis, Hardgrave served four years as Auburn University’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and eight years as dean of Auburn’s Harbert College of Business. He also spent 17 years at the University of Arkansas in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, eventually holding the Edwin & Karlee Bradberry Chair in Information Systems. While there, he founded and ran the Information Technology Research Institute and the RFID (radio frequency identification) Research Center. Hardgrave is an accomplished scholar—having published several books and more than 100 articles—and is considered a thought leader in the field of RFID. He has worked with numerous companies, including Walmart, Amazon, Macy’s, Nike, Intel and Microsoft, among others, and is a highly sought-after speaker—delivering more than 200 invited talks across the globe, to a total audience in excess of 30,000. In recognition of his efforts in RFID, Hardgrave has received the Ted Williams Award from AIM Global as the most influential researcher in the field of RFID and the Special Achievement award from RFID Journal for his overall impact on the field.

About the College

The College offers a selection of degree programs tailored to the needs of students and professionals who are pursuing a wide range of careers. Regardless of which degree program one might choose, a decision to come to the Fogelman College at the University of Memphis for higher education enables students to develop an in-depth understanding of today's challenging and ever-changing business environment.

In the fall of 2022, the College’s enrollment was 3,818 students, with 2,457 undergraduate students and over 1,361 graduate and Ph.D. students. Fogelman College offers eight undergraduate business majors, five different master’s degree programs and a Ph.D. in Business Administration with six concentrations. The FCBE accounts for nearly 30% of all graduate enrollments and houses two of the largest graduate programs (MSIS and MBA). As students’ needs continue to change, so does access to education. Many of the current course offerings are accessible in a traditional classroom setting, as well as online, for both undergraduate and graduate classes.

Fogelman College holds both business and accounting accreditation from AACSB International, an honor earned by less than 5% of business schools world-wide, and is the only AACSB school in the Memphis metropolitan area. The College has maintained continuous accreditation since 1970.

The Fogelman College has 87 full-time faculty, including 10 Chairs of Excellence Professors. Nearly 90% of the faculty have doctoral degrees and faculty hold doctoral degrees from over 50 respected universities.

Nomination and Application Process

Parker Executive Search is assisting the University of Memphis in the search for the Dean. The Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, full resume/CV, and contact information of at least five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted prior to March 31, 2023. For additional information, please contact:

Porsha Williams, Vice President

Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal

Jack McGrew, Executive Recruiting Coordinator

Parker Executive Search

Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875

Atlanta, GA 30328

(770) 804-1996 ext. 111

janderson@parkersearch.com || jmcgrew@parkersearch.com

The University of Memphis does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by the University of Memphis.