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Academic Career & Executive Search Selected to Lead Three Department Chair Searches at Stephen F. Austin State University

(October 14, 2026, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education-focused executive search firm, has been selected to lead three department chair searches within the Nelson Rusche College of Business at Stephen F. Austin State University. Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will lead the searches for the next Chairs of Economics and Finance, Management and Marketing, and Entrepreneurship and Applied Business.

The searches come during a period of growth and investment for the Nelson Rusche College of Business, which continues to expand academic programs, invest in faculty, and create new opportunities for students. The incoming Chairs will play important roles in advancing departmental priorities, fostering faculty collaboration, and contributing to the broader strategic direction of the College.

The three leadership opportunities include:

• Chair, Department of Economics and Finance: The Department offers programs in economics, finance, and banking, including concentrations in financial planning and investment management. Distinctive experiential learning opportunities include the Mast Student Investment Roundtable, through which students manage an equity portfolio valued at approximately $2.73 million, and the Chadwick Banking Program, which connects students with financial institutions through applied projects, internships, and other industry experiences.
• Chair, Department of Management and Marketing: The Department offers programs spanning management, marketing, human resource management, and international business, with an emphasis on applied learning, industry engagement, and student development. The next Chair will work with faculty to advance academic programs, encourage collaboration, and identify opportunities for continued development.
• Chair, Department of Entrepreneurship and Applied Business: This multidisciplinary department encompasses entrepreneurship, applied business, hospitality, sports business, and business communication. The position comes amid significant investment in entrepreneurship, including the new $40 million Greg Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship, creating exciting possibilities for academic programming, experiential learning, and engagement with the business community.

Each Chair will serve as the academic and administrative leader of their respective department, reporting to the Dean while maintaining faculty responsibilities in teaching, scholarship, and service. These full-time, twelve-month appointments encompass academic leadership, faculty development, student success, budgeting, assessment, and external engagement.

The Nelson Rusche College of Business, accredited by AACSB International, prepares the next generation of business leaders through academic excellence, experiential learning, and meaningful engagement with industry. Enrollment has increased over the past three years, new faculty positions are being added, and university leadership continues to invest in innovative academic programs and student success initiatives. Supported by engaged alumni, loyal donors, and a collaborative leadership team, the College provides an environment where academic leaders can help shape the future of business education.

Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA), the newest member of The University of Texas System, began more than a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’s oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it is a comprehensive regional institution comprising six colleges and serving more than 11,000 students. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, SFA is distinguished by its commitment to first-generation student success, applied learning, and connecting academic programs with the needs of the region’s workforce and industries.

Explore all three leadership opportunities: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/openings

Affordable Excellence  

Academic Career & Executive Search, a higher education focused search firm, specializes in affordable excellence, providing perfectly matched candidates to institutions quickly and accurately. Their methodologies, based on frequent touchpoints, pinpoint ideal candidates with speed and meticulous care resulting in highly successful placements.

They offer flexible service/pricing levels for all positions, ensuring affordability.

Contact Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, at 860-740-2600 or Jennifer@ACESrch.com, or visit https://acesrch.com/.