Wrought iron arch with "Jayhawks" and KU buildings in the background

Business Dean Position Overview

View the Leadership Profile (.pdf)

Executive Summary

The University of Kansas seeks an accomplished, collaborative, entrepreneurial, and inclusive leader to serve as the next Dean of the School of Business. Applications, inquiries, and nominations are invited.

Established in July of 1924, the KU School of Business commemorates its centennial during the 2024–25 academic year. The School, an AACSB-accredited public business school, is located on the beautiful and historic Lawrence campus of the University of Kansas (KU), the state’s flagship university, an R1 institution, and a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). The KU School of Business is booming. A record 1,053 freshmen enrolled in the School of Business in fall 2024, and since 2017 overall enrollment has grown more than 60 percent. At least 90 percent of undergraduate students are employed six months after graduation. The School was ranked 41st among public business schools (2025) and the online MBA program was ranked 7th among public online MBA programs by U.S. News & World Report (2024). With an enrollment of 3,699 undergraduate and 705 graduate students, the School of Business is the second largest unit on the Lawrence campus, representing over 15% of the student credit hours generated. A $50 million private gift to the School in 2023, the largest in KU School of Business history, will fuel School efforts to transform business education and research. The gift will also provide funds to advance key initiatives supporting undergraduate student success. Following on the heels of a successful strategic plan that targeted efforts on growing faculty, increasing enrollment, and raising the School's research profile, the School is now prepared to welcome a new Dean to craft and implement a vision for the future.

The Dean reports to and will work closely with the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost to promote excellence in research and education. At KU Lawrence our vision is to build an exceptional learning community that values access, belonging, respect, and success and through which members demonstrate a spirit of teamwork and collaboration within the School, its areas and centers, and across the University. The Dean's primary objectives will be to engage faculty and staff in continuing progress and achieving results in alignment with Jayhawks Rising, KU's strategic plan, and to lead the School's fundraising efforts as part of KU's $2.5 billion capital campaign, Ever Onward. The Dean will model a lifelong commitment to personal learning and professional growth as exemplified by a sustained record of engaged teaching, scholarship, disciplinary and community service, and ongoing leadership development, and will actively support and encourage others in this pursuit.

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution in a discipline represented in the school or a closely related field, and have a record of scholarly research, teaching, or professional attainment that merits appointment as full professor with tenure. Additional industry experience is strongly preferred.

Role of the Dean of the School of Business

The Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the School of Business and is responsible for providing imaginative, effective, dynamic, and transformational leadership to ensure the School’s long-term success. The Dean reports to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost along with the eleven other deans representing the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, professional Schools, and KU Libraries. KU’s dynamic team of academic Deans and leaders embrace innovation and are charged with generating excellence and strong measures of performance. An organizational chart can be found here.

This role requires a data-informed, strategic thinker and innovator who can ensure the School's research enterprise, educational programs, and administrative services will engage and energize faculty, staff, and current and future generations of students, donors, alumni, and community and corporate partners. This position will have the responsibility to develop graduates who have knowledge and the skills of creative inquiry and discovery, effective communication, analytical reasoning, social awareness and cultural understanding, ethical and professional responsibility, and leadership and collaboration that society needs. The Dean will be expected to work in alignment with the campus strategic plan and campus priorities across and outside the University to secure partnerships and collaborations that advance the University and School's mission, increase its impact, and elevate its reputation.

The Dean ensures that the School can attract, retain, develop, and promote talented academic and administrative staff in alignment with KU's goals and objectives and mission as an R-1, AAU institution. Additionally, it is the Dean's responsibility to ensure that the School and its members comply with all relevant laws, regulations, policies, and accreditor standards.

Working with campus leaders, the Dean is responsible for administering the School's annual budget, roughly $41 million. To ensure that the School can provide top-notch research and academic programs, as well as support its faculty, staff, facilities and operations, the Dean collaborates closely with KU Endowment and KU Alumni Association to secure gifts and other financial resources and to ensure the success of the capital campaign. The School's five-year average annual fundraising revenue is $10 million and it also has a dedicated endowment of $105 million. The Dean works closely with the School's 59-member Advisory Board, who provide industry insights and input that strengthen programs, student services, curriculum, and operations.

The Dean leads a team of eleven direct reports consisting of five academic area directors (Accounting; Analytics, Information, Operations; Finance; Management and Entrepreneurship; Marketing and Business Law), three Associate Deans and 16 administrative staff supporting a number of key areas. Total faculty and staff: 191.

Opportunities and Expectations for Leadership

KU Lawrence and Edwards' strategic plan, Jayhawks Rising, and vision for the future offer numerous possibilities for collaboration and cooperation across the University. The strategic plan provides the foundation for the capital campaign and a framework for resource allocation, investment, and new initiatives, all designed to advance KU's mission, solidify its reputation and standing, and increase its value to the state of Kansas, the nation, and the world. KU leaders recognize that the School of Business is a critical asset and player in this effort and over the past several years has increased its investment in and support for the School's goal to advance teaching excellence, student success, financial performance, and overall research stature and impact. It is an exciting time to welcome a new Dean who will join colleagues in raising KU to a new level of performance, recognition, and service. Among the Dean's priorities are to:

  • Forge partnerships and collaborations. The Dean must be an outstanding partner and team member who thrives in a highly collaborative and collegial environment. All of KU's Deans and academic leaders are expected to work with university leaders and together across units to achieve the University's strategic initiatives such as innovative interdisciplinary programs and research that addresses emerging challenges. The Dean will also be expected to seek and cultivate productive partnerships with external organizations that, in turn, can provide new learning, research, and experiential opportunities to enhance the student experience, generate great outcomes, provide career opportunities for graduates, and serve industry and workforce needs.
  • Foster a welcoming culture that sparks innovation. KU recognizes that an environment that includes students and faculty from all backgrounds leads to innovation and the transformation of ideas into products or services that benefit society and the economy. The School of Business seeks a Dean who leads with empathy and respect towards all and who seeks mutually beneficial outcomes. The Dean will actively promote the School and work to make it a better space for students, staff, and faculty. The Dean will be expected to build and delegate effectively to a high-performance senior leadership team, as well as to recognize and promote leadership throughout the School founded on the values of integrity, respect, innovation, stewardship, and excellence.
  • Establish a shared vision and strategy. Fueled by its most recent strategic plan, the School has recruited a new cadre of faculty, launched new programs, and experienced growing enrollment.The School and University seek a leader who can build on this success with an inspirational vision that builds on the School's growth, distinguished history, strengths, and commitment to excellence.The Dean will be expected to work collaboratively with faculty and staff to develop and implement a new set of strategic goals that align with Jayhawks Rising and its three institutional priorities:Student Success, Healthy & Vibrant Communities, and Research & Discovery.
  • Recruit, support, and retain talented students, faculty and staff. The School of Business seeks a Dean who will continue efforts to attract and retain diverse and talented faculty, staff, and students. The Dean will be expected to develop a plan for investing in new programs, infrastructure,and facilities that will attract, serve, and retain the best and brightest faculty, staff, and students.The University's location close to Kansas City is a recruiting advantage and provides ready access to employers and the resources of a large metropolitan area. Additionally, the School has developed a strong partnership with the U.S. Army’s officer training school at Fort Leavenworth, offering courses and two graduate degrees tailored to meet the needs of the military. Capitol Federal Hall, an attractive, 166,500-square-foot, donor-funded, state-of-the-art facility opened in 2016. The building has been scrupulously maintained and retains a virtually new appearance. In 2020, 9,500 square feet of “shell space” was finished and developed to provide additional classroom, study and office space.
  • Strengthen the School's stature and impact. The KU School of Business is home to world-class faculty, programs, and research that explores and impacts today's technology-driven society. The Dean is expected to engage School and University constituents to build on its strengths and advance the School toward greater national and global visibility through outstanding programs and cutting-edge research. The Dean should inspire, encourage, and support the School's faculty to pursue promising and innovative ideas aligned with KU's mission and priorities, particularly those fields of study that can contribute toward success in KU’s stated research themes: Development Across the Lifespan; Earth, Energy & Environment; Human Experience in the Digital Age; Molecules & Medicines; and Safety & Security. The Dean will be expected to strengthen the infrastructure and resources needed to support a growing student body, conduct outstanding research, advance education, and develop and deliver programs in a fast-paced field of constantly emerging new technology. The Dean must provide faculty and staff with clear and consistent guidance, make strategic decisions, and commit to moving the School to its next level of achievement.

  • Lead fundraising and resource development. The Dean is expected to lead efforts to secure new resources for the School including ensuring the School meets campaign goals. The School’s top priorities for the campaign are:

    • Expanding the quality and quantity of scholarly research
    • Enriching the student experience
    • Strengthening communities at KU and beyond

    Strategic resource allocation within a dynamic state budget environment will require creative and sophisticated budgeting ability, as well as the capacity to increase the resource base with fundraising and net-positive revenue initiatives. The Dean will partner with University leaders, the School of Business Advisory Board, and KU Endowment team members to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Qualities

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution in a discipline represented in the school or a closely related field, and have a record of scholarly research, teaching, or professional attainment in the field that merits appointment as full professor with tenure. Additional industry experience is strongly preferred.

In addition, ideal qualifications and qualities for the next Dean of the School of Business include:

  • Leadership experience and abilities:
    • Demonstrated record of collaborative and visionary leadership skills to drive innovation and growth within a research university environment
    • A record of building successful programs to recruit, develop, and retain an outstanding faculty, staff, and student body and to ensure all members of the School's community feel welcomed and supported
    • Experience organizing, directing, and delegating to a talented team and ensuring operational excellence and efficiency
  • Vision and academic excellence:
    • Knowledge of national and international trends in business teaching, research, and the profession, leading to a vision of opportunity, innovation, and growth
    • Vision for and evidence of improving and recognizing research excellence, attracting and retaining talented researchers, and elevating reputation consistent with and complementary to KU’s institutional goals
    • Commitment to the development and support of interdisciplinary and international activities and programs
    • Experience developing and implementing strategies to recruit, retain, graduate, and support career progression for students.
  • Resource management and development:
    • Ability to administer an annual budget efficiently, effectively, and strategically
    • Exceptional skill in securing and allocating resources to advance a vision and strategy to accomplish institutional goals and objectives
    • Success identifying and cultivating philanthropic, foundation, and corporate support
  • Communication and relationships:
    • Exceptional communication and team-building skills to facilitate effective and collegial
      relationships within the School and with leadership and the broader university community
    • Ability to articulate clear goals and maintain open lines of communication with faculty, staff, and students.
    • Ability to promote public awareness of the mission and accomplishments of the School
    • Evidence of developing sustainable relationships and partnerships with external organizations, industry leaders, corporations, government leaders and agencies, and other
      strategic partners
  • Personal characteristics:
    • Ability to inspire people and engage them in a vision for the future
    • Deep commitment to student success, faculty, and staff achievement
    • Interest in and ability to connect with a wide range of people of varying backgrounds and experiences
    • Integrity, respect, innovation, stewardship, excellence, empathy, and compassion

About the School of Business

Overview

The University of Kansas School of Business has been educating students and creating business leaders since 1924. It offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs with curriculum focused on experiential learning and career preparation. The School and its accounting program hold accreditations by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Its undergraduate and full-time MBA programs are ranked in the top 50 among public universities, and its online MBA program ranks 7th among public universities.

KU Business tenured and tenure-track faculty produce innovative research that’s published in industry-leading journals and regularly serve as experts on business trends and insights in national media. Academic staff likewise have earned a reputation as exceptional instructors with a strong commitment to student success.

The School houses a Business Communication Center, EY Business Professional Development Program (career services and professionalism courses), impact programs, and entrepreneurship programs. Additional staff and support facilitate business-focused study abroad, graduate programs, the honors program and other student enrichment programs. Professional staff in the school address important functional areas such as building management, data and financial services, HR, and communications. Its undergraduate student advising team has been centrally administered since summer 2022.

The School’s home, the 176,000-square-foot Capitol Federal Hall, is a state-of-the-art facility for collaboration. The building houses School of Business faculty and staff offices and the majority of KU Business courses. It includes a 350-seat auditorium, more than 20 classrooms, study and meeting spaces, and a stunning collection of about 150 works of art.

Loyal and supportive KU Business alumni, board and council members, and industry partners provide important feedback and insights that helps the School maintain relevant and dynamic curricula and student programming.

Vision

We aspire to be a business school with an accretive, agile, and analytic culture, known for intellectual and instructional excellence, where students learn and develop, faculty and staff thrive, and alumni and business professionals seek engagement, ideas, and insights.

Mission

Advance and impart business knowledge and prepare students to be leaders who positively contribute to business and society.

Faculty and Staff

The School’s faculty comprises 135 members, with 67 tenure and tenure-track faculty, 64 academic staff, three associate deans, and the Dean. The School has University Support Staff and Unclassified Professional Staff members.

Academic Programs

At the undergraduate level, the School of Business offers a Bachelor of Science in Business on the Lawrence campus, with majors in Accounting, Business Administration, Business Analytics, Finance, Information Systems, Management and Leadership, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, and a co-major in International Business. The School also offers an online Bachelor of Business Administration program. Business students can earn minors in Business Analytics, Information Systems, Human Resource Management, International Business, Management and Leadership, Marketing, or Professional Selling. Undergraduate KU students of any major can earn the school’s minor in Entrepreneurship or minor in Business. The school offers four certificate programs: Banking, Entrepreneurship, Professional Selling, and the Jack Lockton Certificate in Insurance and Risk Management.

The School’s master’s programs on the Lawrence campus include the MBA (with joint degree options), Master of Accounting, and Master of Science in Business Analytics. A Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management are offered in conjunction with the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth for military officers, as well as a hybrid MBA program, with some classes in-person and some delivered online.

The School also offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Business with seven areas of study: Accounting; Analytics, Information, Operations; Finance; Human Resource Management; Marketing; Organizational Behavior; and Strategic Management.

Research and Scholarship

Consistent with KU’s position as an R1 institution, the School’s research mission is focused on producing and disseminating business knowledge. The School defines this as basic research published in high-impact academic journals, because articles appearing in these journals typically have a meaningful impact on the theory and practice of business. The School consults various sources such as the Financial Times, UT Dallas, and discipline-specific rankings to assess publication outlets.

Meaningful research activity is expected and supported for all tenured and tenure-track faculty. It is primary consideration in annual evaluations, and publications in top journals are necessary for positive promotion and tenure decisions. Continued publishing in highly regarded journals is necessary for satisfactory ratings on the School’s Research Evaluation and Development team evaluations and post-tenure reviews, which are conducted for tenured faculty every three and seven years, respectively.

Centers

Davis Center for Figure Sense
The Davis Center for Figure Sense exists to instill a stronger figure sense into the habits of thinking and communicating. Created in 2015, the Davis Center strives to enhance students’ business acumen and civic engagement.
 

KU Small Business Development Center
The KU Small Business Development Center assists with the growth of Kansas small businesses by providing free one-to-one advising services. The center is one of 13 Kansas Small Business Development Centers in Kansas and one of more than 1,000 SBDCs in the United States. The Center is a partnership program among the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Kansas Department of Commerce (KDOC), the University of Kansas School of Business and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.

Students/Enrollment

Overall enrollment: 4,404

Undergraduate: 3,699

Graduate: 705

Advisory board

The KU School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board comprises community leaders and business executives, many of whom are KU Business alumni. Typically, Dean’s Advisory Board meetings are held each fall and spring semester, occasionally held in tandem with meetings of Academic Area boards.

Dean’s Advisory Board members provide industry insights, strategic guidance, and foundational support. Their input helps inform the School’s programs, student services, curriculum, and operations, ensuring that the School is responsive to potential employer demand, workforce needs and marketplace change.

About the University of Kansas

Overview

The University of Kansas is the state’s flagship university, an R-1 institution and a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). KU consistently earns high rankings for academics and recognition as a premier research university.

KU pushes the boundaries of knowledge, transforms the academic experience, and creates solutions through innovative research and discovery. The Jayhawk community extends around the globe, united by more than 150 years of tradition and by a commitment to creating a better world. The University offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments in the world.

KU has nine graduate programs in the top 10 and 51 programs in the top 50 among public universities in the 2024 rankings from U.S. News & World Report. KU offers 5,000 course sections, 400 degree and certificate programs, and more than 200 fields of study.

Enrollment at KU Lawrence-Edwards was 26,887 students in fall 2024, with an additional 3,883 students enrolled at the KU Medical Center for a university total enrollment of 30,770 students, an all-time high for KU. KU students are from all 50 states and 112 countries. The University had 1,877 international students comprising 7.2% of the student body at KU Lawrence-Edwards and 4.5% of students at KU Medical Center. In fall 2022, the University had 2,786 faculty members and 10,689 employees across all campuses. Student to faculty ratio is 17 to 1. KU's FY2024 operating budget for KU Lawrence-Edwards was $735 million. As of June 30, 2024, KU's Endowment stood at $2.8 billion.

The University provides more than $72 million in scholarships and grants to students each year. KU students have won more Rhodes Scholarships and more federally sponsored research is conducted at KU than at all other Kansas universities, combined.

In addition to KU’s research-residential campus located on beautiful Mount Oread in Lawrence, the University has eight other locations across Kansas: Medical Center campus in Kansas City; Edwards Campus in Overland Park; Wichita Campus (School of Medicine and School of Pharmacy); Salina Campus (School of Medicine); Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center near Hutchinson; Juniper Gardens Children’s Project in Kansas City; Life Span Institute in Parsons and a collaborative location with the Army Command General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth.

Mission

The mission of the University of Kansas is to educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world.

Values

The university is committed to the values of integrity, respect, innovation, stewardship, and excellence.

It fosters a multicultural, inclusive environment in which the dignity and rights of the individual are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity, and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.

Strategic Plan

Jayhawks Rising, KU Lawrence and Edwards' strategic plan, includes several strategies designed to advance KU toward the vision to be an exceptional learning community that lifts each member and advances society.

The three mission-based institutional priorities for Jayhawks Rising:

  1. Student Success
  2. Healthy & Vibrant Communities
  3. Research & Discovery

Education

The University of Kansas is committed to offering the highest quality undergraduate, professional, and advanced graduate programs comparable to the best available in the nation. KU fulfills its mission through faculty, academic, and research programs of international distinction; outstanding libraries; research labs; and engaging museums. These resources enrich the undergraduate experience and are essential for graduate-level education and world-class research.

Research

KU attains high levels of research productivity and engages in more than $400 million of externally funded research annually. KU recognizes faculty are part of a network of scholars who shape a discipline as well as teach it. Research and instruction, as practiced at KU, are mutually reinforcing with scholarly inquiry underlying and informing the educational experience at undergraduate, professional, and graduate levels.

Service

The University serves Kansas, the nation, and the world through research and discovery, education, and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. KU provides service to the state of Kansas through its state and federally funded research centers, academic programs, workforce development, arts facilities, and public programs that provide cultural enrichment opportunities. KU Lawrence also is home to KU Innovation Park, a public-private partnership to grow opportunities in technology and bioscience and bring them to market by leveraging KU talent and innovation.

University Governance

KU has a shared governance system with branches representing faculty, staff, and students. Representation from each senate forms the University Senate that focuses on rules, regulations, and policies that impact these groups.

International Engagement

KU is dedicated to preparing students for lives of learning and the challenges citizens will encounter in a diverse and increasingly complex global community. The University excels in global engagement, teaching more than 40 languages. KU faculty and students have access to more than 150 programs of international study and cooperative research in more than 50 countries. About 29% of undergraduate students study abroad during their KU careers.

Jayhawk Global

Jayhawk Global was launched in 2022 as the umbrella for all KU's online course offerings, ranging from traditional semester-long online classes to shorter, non-credit bearing and workforce development programs for professionals. The University is expected to grow Jayhawk Global significantly as an element of its overarching strategy to increase enrollment and impact.

Jayhawk Spirit

At KU, scholarship and discovery nourish minds while athletics and co-curricular activities uplift spirits. Basketball may have been born in Springfield, Massachusetts, but the game came of age in Lawrence. KU’s first basketball coach was none other than the game’s inventor James Naismith, and his 13 Original Rules of “Basket Ball” are enshrined on the campus. Jayhawks athletics’ most recent national achievement was winning the 2022 NCAA Division I men's basketball championship.

A strategic area of the Lawrence campus is currently being reimagined as the Gateway District. A bold new vision of the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium includes a new fan experience, conference center, hotel, retail space and apartments.
While six national championship banners hang in Allen Fieldhouse, the KU Debate program showcases six national championship trophies across campus in Bailey Hall. In basketball, debate, volleyball, track, soccer, music, arts and more, Jayhawks set high standards and perform at elite levels.

About Lawrence, Kansas

KU’s research-residential campus is in the center of Lawrence, KS, a vibrant and culturally rich community — a quintessential college town. Visitors, students, and new employees from outside the area enjoy discovering the many wonders of Lawrence, including a thriving downtown, diverse local and regional events, area lakes, vibrant arts and music scenes, and an indelible history.

From tree-lined historic neighborhoods to no-maintenance communities, modern downtown lofts, and rolling acreage outside of city limits, Lawrence offers a wide variety of home options.

Lawrence has long been known for its active music scene, hosting many up-and-coming artists before they were big names. Several venues offer live music to suit almost any taste. A summer family favorite is the free Lawrence City Band outdoor concert series at the South Park Gazebo, where Lawrence residents of all ages bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the music.

Home to nearly 100,000 people, Lawrence is located 45 minutes west of Kansas City and 30 minutes east of Topeka, the state capital. Along with the music, arts, culture, and sports experiences offered at KU and in Lawrence, the short drive to Kansas City provides quick access to historic jazz clubs, museums, world-class music and theatre venues, and professional sports teams. Lawrence has also been named as 'America's Fastest Growing' Tech hub.

Procedure for Candidacy


All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile.

WittKieffer is assisting the University of Kansas in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by February 7, 2025.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.