The search for the MU, Trulaske College of Business, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs was launched. Nominations and confidential questions about the search and role can be sent to umhrexecutivesearch@umsystem.edu. 

Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ the Role

The , the flagship, land-grant, comprehensive research university of the University of Missouri System (UM System), seeks a proven educational leader and academic administrator to serve as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the . Reporting directly to the , the Associate Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative leader for the College’s and plays a central role in advancing strategic priorities related to student success, academic excellence and program innovation.

Aerial shot of Jesse Hall at sunset

This highly visible leadership role provides oversight for the vision, strategy and execution of all undergraduate business programs. The Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs partners closely with the Dean’s Office, fellow associate deans, academic unit heads, academic program directors, college committees and university leadership to ensure alignment with the , accreditation standards and institutional goals.

The Associate Dean leads a comprehensive undergraduate enterprise that includes academic advising, student recruitment, experiential learning, curriculum management and assurance of learning. The role carries responsibility for strengthening enrollment strategy; enhancing student engagement, retention and graduation outcomes; expanding online and innovative program delivery; and advancing continuous improvement processes. The Associate Dean also oversees the administration of approximately $2 million in undergraduate scholarships annually and contributes to initiatives supporting external rankings and reputation.

With a focus on both vision and execution, the Associate Dean will foster a culture of collaboration, data-informed decision-making, and accountability. The successful candidate will bring the capacity to translate strategic priorities into measurable outcomes while empowering teams and cultivating strong partnerships across the College and University.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished academic leader and effective communicator who combines strategic insight with operational acumen. This individual will possess a demonstrated commitment to undergraduate education, student success and instructional innovation, along with the ability to guide complex initiatives in a dynamic, rapidly growing environment.

Committee Chair:

Marsha Richins, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs and Research; Howard World Book Chair of Marketing

Members:

  • Vairam Arunachalam, Associate Dean for Partnerships & Engagement; PricewaterhouseCoopers/Joseph A. Silvoso Distinguished Professor of Accountancy
  • Fred Bereskin, Associate Professor and Richard G. Miller Professor of Finance
  • Lindsay Brekke, Director of Finance and Administration
  • Shannon Breske, Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of Study Abroad
  • Chris Prestigiacomo, Associate Teaching Professor;  Vairam Arunachalam Distinguished Teaching Professor

Details and Application

The Search Committee will begin reviewing candidates immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to materials received by May 15, 2026. Applications should include a CV/resume and a letter of interest that addresses the opportunities found in the . Professional References will be requested later in the process. Candidates will be notified before references are contacted

Job ID: 58929

Nominations and inquiries of interest may be sent in confidence to the Executive Recruitment Team. 

Anna Wiedermann, Director of Recruitment

Anna Cramer, Senior HR Consultant

Nominate

Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Strategic Leadership and Academic Oversight 

  • Provide strategic direction and leadership for all undergraduate programs (residential, online and hybrid formats), ensuring excellence and innovation.
  • Oversee the development and enhancement of academic programs of distinction, career pathway programs, and the Edge Professional Development Program that align with market demands and institutional priorities.
  • Lead undergraduate curricular initiatives and assurance of learning efforts and internal quality standards.
  • Foster a comprehensive learning environment that integrates experience-centered learning and supports student achievement across all populations.

Student Recruitment, Advising and Success

  • Collaborate with enrollment management, marketing and faculty to lead targeted recruitment and enrollment initiatives for undergraduate business students.
  • Oversee undergraduate academic advising operations to ensure proactive, developmental advising that supports retention, progression and timely graduation.
  • Develop and monitor career pathway programs that link academic experiences to professional outcomes.

Online Programs and Instructional Innovation

  • Provide leadership for the online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) program, including growth strategy, student engagement and instructional quality.
  • Promote transformative technologies and instructional design best practices to enhance the delivery and effectiveness of undergraduate instruction across modalities.

Scholarship Coordination

Coordinate the annual award and disbursement of $2M in undergraduate business scholarships, ensuring equitable and strategic allocation aligned with recruitment and retention goals.

Data, Analytics, Accreditation and Rankings

  • Lead the collection, analysis and application of student success, learning outcome and operational data to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
  • Manage processes related to national and international rankings, including data submission and narrative development.
  • Serve as a key contributor to accreditation reviews, self-study reports, and program audits.

Administration and Supervision

  • Supervise a team of academic advisors and staff, collaborating with the college’s leadership team.
  • Manage budgets, scholarships, and gift accounts.
  • Serve on college and campus committees.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Terminal degree (Ph.D., DBA, Ed.D., JD or equivalent) in a business discipline or related field.
  • Academic credentials meriting appointment in a tenured position for scholarly active faculty at the Associate Professor or Professor level, or a professional track teaching position at the Associate Teaching  Professor or Teaching Professor level.
  • Minimum of 5 years of advancing leadership experience in higher education, including program administration, curriculum development, or student success initiatives.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of curriculum assessment practices.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience leading undergraduate business programs and instructional innovation.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and budgets, including scholarship funds.
  • Strong record of data-informed decision-making and process improvement.
  • Experience collaborating across departments, colleges, and external stakeholders.

Skills and Competencies

  • Strategic thinker with strong organizational and analytical skills.
  • Authentic and trust-centered administrator who leads with integrity, transparency, and consistency.
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication abilities.
  • Proven leadership in fostering a student-centered academic culture.
  • Ability to motivate and lead cross-functional teams.
  • Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and excellence in business education.

This position is a 12-month administrative opening with a teaching responsibility reporting to the Dean of
the College of Business and can be filled as a Tenured Position for scholarly active faculty at the Associate
Professor or Professor level, or as Professional Track Teaching position at the Associate Teaching Professor
or Teaching Professor level. The ideal start date is July 1, 2026, or another mutually agreed upon date.

has been consistently rated as one of the most desirable places to live and work in the U.S. This college city of 128,000-plus residents has the best of both worlds – small-town convenience and warmth with urban sophistication and amenities. Located halfway between St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia boasts affordable housing, moderate cost of living, diverse cultural and economic opportunities, and excellent public schools. 

Columbia is a progressive community with rural roots and is a quintessential college town. While Mizzou football defines the scene on Saturday in late summer and fall, other popular events include the annual True/False documentary film festival, the monthly First Fridays Art Walk and the spring Unbound Book Festival. Mizzou’s campus is adjacent to downtown Columbia, within walking distance of restaurants, clothing stores, ice cream shops, and music venues. Downtown’s shopping corridor is packed with designer boutiques, jewelers, florists, bookstores, sweets shops, and purveyors of eco-friendly products and novelty items. 

Columbia’s location in central Missouri is a two-hour drive to either Kansas City or St. Louis; a local regional airport connects the city directly to Chicago and Dallas. Columbia boasts multiple city parks for outdoor recreation as well as easy access to Rock Bridge State Park and Stephens Lake. The region’s caves, forests, streams, and cliffs offer endless exploration for outdoor adventurers. The popular MKT Trail takes cyclists and hikers all through Columbia and links to the 225-mile Katy Trail, which stretches across the state.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits webpage.

Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at (573) 341-7734.