Dean, Lutgert College of Business

Dean, Lutgert College of Business

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) seeks a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leader to serve as Dean of the Lutgert College of Business.  FGCU is a comprehensive public university offering undergraduate and graduate programs to 15,000 students.  One of 12 universities within the State University System of Florida, FGCU is Carnegie-designated as a master’s level university.  Founded in 1991 to serve the needs of the Southwest Florida community, FGCU has seen enormous growth in academic programs, research activity, campus life, donor support, and student outcomes.  Through its strategic planning process, five broad themes or pillars have emerged as priorities – student success, academic excellence, entrepreneurship, health sciences, and community engagement. 

The Lutgert College of Business (LCOB) aims to be known for excellence in applied business education.  LCOB’s mission is to educate and engage students and businesses in a collaborative community and to offer high quality educational programs that prepare students to thrive in their professional careers.  LCOB’s approach to business education emphasizes engagement, innovation, and impact.  As the only AACSB-accredited business school in southwestern Florida, LCOB offers high-quality applied business education, engagement with businesses, and career support to enable students and graduates to thrive.  LCOB’s culture is student-centered, and students enjoy close and supportive relationships with faculty and staff.  Academically, LCOB is organized into five departments (Accounting; Economics and Finance; Information Systems and Operations Management; Management; and  Marketing), each led by a chair.  LCOB also houses the School of Resort and Hospitality Management (SRHM) and the PGA Golf Management program.  LCOB offers fully accredited undergraduate and master’s programs on-site and online.  In fall, 2018, LCOB programs enrolled 3,900 undergraduate and more than 200 graduate students supported by 67 full-time and 42 full-time staff.  LCOB is accredited by AACSB International; SRHM is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality; and the PGA Golf Management program is accredited by the PGA. 

Reporting to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean is the chief academic and executive officer of the college and serves as a member of the University’s academic leadership team.  The Dean is responsible for the college’s leadership strategy, and for effective management of the faculty and staff, fiscal resources, compliance with accreditation standards, community outreach, fundraising, marketing and enrollment, interdisciplinary initiatives, and physical facilities of the college. The Dean is accountable for the quality of LCOB’s academic programs and faculty and for building undergraduate and graduate programs of excellence on a foundation of innovative experiential education that prepares students for the business environment of the future.  The Dean promotes and provides advocacy for the college within the university, throughout the state university system, and to regional, national, and international constituents and partners.  The Dean guarantees the integrity of all LCOB programs; promotes quality and excellence in teaching, research, and service; and fosters an environment of openness and collegiality. The Dean is responsible for encouraging mission-relevant research, growing entrepreneurial activity, creating opportunities for students, and fostering a collaborative spirit in the college.

The University seeks a dynamic innovative, energetic, and entrepreneurial leader who demonstrates a broad understanding of the direction of business education and the ability to articulate a vision that positions LCOB as a successful enterprise within a complex and growing public university. The dean will have exemplary academic achievements and strategic leadership ability, outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, entrepreneurial spirit and high energy, the ability to garner financial and other resources, and a passion for the unique mission of the college and university.  The dean must demonstrate evidence of excellent financial and human resources management skills; collaborative skills; a strong external focus; a track record of successful fundraising; and the ability to work effectively within a diverse and multicultural environment.  The successful candidate will have a record of fostering excellence in instruction, research, and service; and dedication to supporting faculty and promoting student success.  An earned doctorate in business, economics or related field from an AACSB-accredited institution is required together with a record of scholarly contribution that merits appointment as a full professor in an academic discipline represented within the college.  In addition to traditional backgrounds within higher education, outstanding academically qualified business leaders within complex organizational settings that involve multiple stakeholders may be considered.

Screening will begin in July and continue until an appointment is made. Nominations, inquiries, and applications (including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and names of five references) should be directed electronically to FGCULutgertDean@divsearch.com.

Kim M. Morrisson, Ph.D., Senior Managing Director or John Mestepey, Managing Director

Nancy Helfman, Vice President and Senior Associate

Diversified Search

One Commerce Square, 2005 Market Street, Suite 3300, Philadelphia, PA  19103

215-656-3579

FGCU is a community committed to ensuring equity and fairness in employment.  By cultivating diversity, we ensure an inclusive learning environment that contributes to student success. 

FGCU is an EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability Employer

For more information, visit www.FGCU.edu