PRESS RELEASES

Oakland University selects Harris Search Associates to Lead the Search for its Next Dean of the School of Business Administration

(March 2022) Oakland University has selected higher education executive search firm Harris Search Associates to lead the search for its next Dean of the School of Business Administration.

Oakland University (OU) seeks a visionary Dean with the highest academic standards who will provide active and engaged leadership, have an unwavering commitment to faculty, staff, and students, and work to enhance the successes and outcomes of the SBA in key areas of scholarship, education, research, and service. The Dean serves as the chief spokesperson and advocate for the SBA both within and outside of the University and ensures that it continues to serve as a vital resource to the institution and the state. OU seeks an accomplished and dynamic leader who fosters innovation and collaboration in a shared governance environment.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Dean is the chief executive officer for the SBA and reports to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. With input from the faculty, the Dean is responsible for academic program development and review; faculty recruitment; development and evaluation of faculty; and student relations. In cooperation with the Provost, the Dean is responsible for academic and administrative planning; budgeting; administration and implementation of department, college, and university policies; fund-raising and external relations.

OU seeks a dynamic and visionary leader who will build upon the SBA strengths to provide exceptional professional educational experiences, recruit and develop outstanding faculty, and promote faculty-driven scholarly and creative endeavors. The next Dean will be a committed team player who is devoted to excellence and shared governance. The selected individual will be a consultative decision-maker and will work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and administrators. The Dean will have unquestioned integrity and exemplary interpersonal and communication skills.

The Dean supervises an Associate Dean, an Assistant Dean, four department chairs, five directors (Director of Executive Programs, Director of Employer Relations, Director of Communications and Marketing, Director of Advising Services and Director of Philanthropy) and oversees 71 full-time faculty, approximately 40 part-time faculty, a staff of 33 individuals, nearly 2600 students, (over 430 graduate and over 2,150 undergraduate students), and a budget of $18 million dollars.

The Dean provides the academic and administrative leadership to the SBA that helps shape and support its vision, strategic initiatives, and mission. Toward this goal, the Dean works closely with the University’s administration, the SBA’s administrative staff, faculty, students, alumni, and the community. The SBA’s strategic initiatives are expected to include growth, innovation, excellence in research and teaching, fundraising, and relationship-building with businesses, the SBA Board of Visitors, alumni, the community, and other units of the University. The Dean ensures that operations adhere to the standards required for maintaining Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The School of Business Administration is one of about 190 institutions worldwide (less than 5%) to have earned AACSB accreditation in Business and Accounting, assuring quality and continuous improvement in its programs, faculty, and resources. The business school offers nine undergraduate business majors and 11 minors, four master’s degree programs, and a wealth of graduate certificates.

The school offers nine undergraduate business majors, a Business Honors Program, and 11 minors, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with multiple modalities and concentrations, Master of Accounting, Master of Science in Information Technology Management, Master of Science in Business Analytics, an Executive MBA, and a wealth of graduate certificates.

The SBA has four departments (Accounting and Finance, Decision and Information Sciences, Economics, and Management and Marketing). There are currently 71 full-time faculty, approximately 40 part-time faculty, and more than nearly 2600 students (over 430 graduate and over 2,150 undergraduate students). The SBA maintains strong ties with the local business community.

ABOUT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY

Founded as Michigan State University-Oakland in 1957 following the unique donation of the vast Matilda and Alfred Wilson estate to support higher education, OU is one of 15 public universities, located in southeastern Michigan. OU is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a R2 doctoral institution with “high research activity” and has grown into a student-centered R2 research institution with a global perspective. Operating independently since 1970, the University serves a diverse student population, and the institution is woven deeply into its surrounding community. Over its history, the University has grown to serve nearly 19,000 students, over 600 full-time and 200 bargaining unit part-time faculty and offers more than 140 bachelor’s degree programs and 130 doctoral, master’s degree, and certificate programs. In addition to the main campus, OU delivers courses at the Anton Frankel Center and the Macomb University Center. With a strong foundation in the liberal arts and a robust cadre of professional schools, OU is poised to build upon its bold and remarkable past as it charts an exciting and even more powerful future. Guided by the University’s 2025 Strategic Plan and Reimagining Oakland University (ROU), efforts are underway to enhance student success, grow research and scholarly activity, advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and expand the institution’s visibility both in the region and nationally.

Harris Search Associates – an IIC Partners member firm, is a leading global higher education executive search and board advisory consulting firm with 44 offices in 33 countries worldwide.  Our higher education executive search practice is focused on identifying and attracting leaders to support the growth of clients in the areas of research, science, engineering, academic medicine, and healthcare enterprises. Clients include the foremost universities, research parks, institutes, academic medical centers, and healthcare organizations driving global innovation and discovery.