Dean, Parker College of Business
Georgia Southern University
Position Description

Georgia Southern University (GSU) seeks a dedicated and innovative leader to serve as its next Dean of the Parker College of Business (Parker College).

Position

Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer and spokesperson for the Parker College. The Dean has oversight of approximately 99 full-time faculty, 4 part-time faculty, and 19 staff; supported by a budget of over $23 million. The Dean will serve as an engaging, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader who will enhance the Parker College’s current capabilities to positively impact the region through the college’s mission in teaching, research, and public service/outreach. As a result of rapid growth, Southeast Georgia and Savannah are home to a dynamic economy and expanding industrial infrastructure, and the Dean will be in the unique position to lead the Parker College and assist with the University’s efforts toward playing a critical role in the future growth of the region and the state of Georgia.

The Dean should be an innovative professional with a strong commitment to academic excellence. The Dean will provide visionary leadership to grow and enhance the college’s expanding graduate programs and research initiatives. The Dean should inspire faculty to excel in teaching, research, and creative activities and reward excellence in these areas. An outstanding Dean will have the ability to think strategically and collaboratively, working effectively as part of the campus leadership team. The Dean should listen carefully and communicate effectively to inspire confidence and enhance relationships with the staff, community, and various campus constituent groups.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must possess an earned doctorate in a related field and a record of distinguished research, teaching, and scholarly activities commensurate with appointment as full professor with tenure in one of the departments in the Parker College. The candidate must also possess a strong sense of professional ethics and demonstrated leadership and administrative experience. Additionally, it is preferred the successful candidate demonstrates:

• A successful record of progressive academic administration at institutions with graduate research programs, preferably at the Carnegie R1 level
• A proven track record of addressing stakeholders needs across a multi-campus environment
• Ability to collaborate with faculty to develop a vision and strategic plans for the future within an environment of shared governance
• The ability to communicate effectively to build and enhance relationships with the staff, community, and various constituent groups
• Ability to oversee the college’s budget and financial allocations
• A record of success in recruiting, retaining, and mentoring talented faculty and staff
• The ability to inspire faculty to excel in teaching, research, and creative activities and to reward excellence in these areas
• A commitment to developing and implementing student success initiatives
• The ability to function well as part of the campus leadership team
• A track record of success in fundraising and securing private support from donors
• Leadership through innovative organizational change in a transparent and inclusive manner
• A desire and skill to serve as both the internal and external face of the Parker College
• Expertise to raise the College’s visibility and reputation within and beyond the University by engaging a wide range of stakeholders to strengthen its standing locally, regionally, and nationally
• Ability to advocate for the College when engaging with University stakeholders and industry partners
• The ability to promote interdisciplinary collaboration within the Parker College and among other Colleges throughout the University
• A transparent and approachable leadership style, serving as highly visible leader at each campus
• A track record of community engagement through the cultivation of partnerships with community organizations, industry leaders, alumni, and others
• Effective management of human and financial resources while respecting shared governance in the decision-making process

Opportunities

The Dean of the Parker College will have the opportunity to lead an organization that is committed to serving communities, locally, regionally, and statewide. The Dean will have a strong history of leadership in teaching, research, and service. In leading the college, the Dean must provide direction in the following areas:

• Developing new and existing partnerships with community-focused and business-related organizations and stakeholders
• Cultivating and implementing a unified strategic plan that inspires the Parker College
• Providing leadership in the area of fundraising and external relations as well as spearheading broader advancement efforts in communications and engagement with external stakeholders
• Enhancing and developing novel advancement opportunities to fund new and existing programs, promote faculty development, increase research productivity, and enhance student support
• Leveraging the College’s academically diverse offerings by exploring opportunities to promote interdisciplinary academic collaboration and scholarship between the Parker College and other colleges within the University to foster and strengthen current academic programs that will elevate student success and experience
• Creating an environment that inspires creativity and strengthens the quality of service, reputation and status of the Parker College’s programs
• Coalescing a shared identity, cohesion, and collaboration among the varied units to advance the quality and reputation of the College and to better serve the campus community and regions
• Recruiting and retaining excellent faculty and staff committed to positively impacting student performance and increasing their sense of belonging
• Developing new opportunities for student access to research and partnership with the faculty
• Strengthening interdisciplinary connections among the units of the College to promote research growth and impact, as well as support unique academic programs
• Supporting and growing the University’s research mission by advancing the faculty’s scholarly activities and external sponsorship growth, and encouraging and advocating for interdisciplinary opportunities that increase impact
• Providing leadership to the faculty in developing, maintaining, and improving high-quality programs of instruction, research, creative activity, outreach, and public service

The Parker College of Business

The Parker College of Business (Parker College) is one of the ten academic colleges that comprise Georgia Southern University. The Parker College is dedicated to creating successful business professionals who lead the way to a prosperous future through impactful teaching, grounded research, and practical experiential service opportunities. With a commitment to ethical leadership and professional excellence, the Parker College prepares the next generation for success. The College's mission is to empower graduates to lead across specialties, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in a global business environment.

The Parker College offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs to a diverse student body. The College is comprised of seven departments and schools:

• School of Accountancy: Offers undergraduate and graduate programs in accounting, preparing students to become trusted information professionals fluent in the language of business.
• Department of Economics: Provides programs that offer a broad, applied perspective on how economics influences the world—from financial markets and consumer demand to public policy and laws.
• Department of Finance: Equips students with the foundational knowledge of finance to excel in banking, insurance, real estate, security analysis, or financial planning.
• Department of Information Systems and Analytics: Develops analytical and management skills necessary to shape enterprise business processes, compile and analyze data, or protect corporate assets.
• Department of Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Offers undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students to lead modern organizations by mastering problem-solving skills and supply chain knowledge, with programs in logistics and intermodal transportation or operations and supply management.
• Department of Management: Offers versatile knowledge and skills in general management, human resources, entrepreneurship, and hospitality management, enabling students to lead in various economic sectors.
• Department of Marketing: Teaches the basic concepts, techniques, and tools for developing marketing strategies and programs, preparing students for careers in retail management, merchandising, product management, product development, sales force management, advertising, or business consulting.

The Parker College is home to a dedicated team of full-time faculty, part-time faculty, staff, and graduate assistants who are committed to the development of its students and serving the community. Additionally, the College houses several centers and outreach programs that provide students with opportunities to participate in research and work alongside faculty. Examples include:

• The Southern Center for Logistics and Intermodal Transportation: Focuses on research, education, and outreach in logistics and transportation, providing students with practical experience in these critical areas.
• Center for Sales Excellence: Offers specialized training and development in sales, enhancing students' skills and employability in various industries.
• Parker Business Scholars Program: Provides high-achieving students with enhanced learning opportunities, mentorship, and professional development to prepare them for leadership roles in business.
• Eagles on Wall Street: Offers students the opportunity to engage with financial professionals and institutions in New York City, providing insights into the finance industry.
• Eagles on Pennsylvania Avenue: Connects students with policymakers and organizations in Washington, D.C., offering a deeper understanding of the intersection between business and government.
• Center for Business Analytics and Economic Research (CBAER): Conducts applied research related to community and business development across the state of Georgia and beyond.

The Parker College of Business takes great pride in its reputation as a top incubator of business talent outside metro-Atlanta, serving nearly 4,400 students and playing a vital role in the fast-paced economic development of the greater Savannah area. Faculty members are recognized thought leaders, contributing to over 39,000 citations of their research and shaping the future of business education. The Parker College is among an elite group of only 190 institutions worldwide to hold dual AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting. Students gain invaluable hands-on experience through programs like the Southern Investment Association (SIA), which consistently outperforms its S&P 500 benchmark, and the School of Accountancy’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which has provided nearly $1.5 million in economic impact to the community since 2020. The College's marketing and logistics students frequently earn national recognition, with marketing teams securing top placements in NRF Foundation and RNMKRS AI competitions, and logistics students benefiting from nearly $40,000 in IANA-sponsored scholarships while consistently winning top honors in industry competitions. Additionally, Parker College faculty and students provide critical analytical support for Georgia Southern’s Economic Monitor, offering valuable insights to business and community leaders. The Parker College’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its strong career outcomes, with 86% of students historically securing full-time employment within six months of graduation.

The Parker College’s programs and faculty are consistently recognized for excellence at both the state and national levels. Notable rankings include being named the #1 Best Supply Chain Management Bachelor’s Degree School in Georgia (CollegeFactual, 2024) and #1 for Online MBA Programs in Georgia with the Lowest Debt at Graduation (Discover Business.US, 2024). The College has also been ranked #3 in the Best Online Master’s in Economics Programs (Bestcolleges.com, 2023), #4 in the Best MBA Programs in Georgia (Best Value Schools, 2024), and #9 nationally for African Americans receiving bachelor’s degrees in marketing (Diverse Magazine). Its MBA program was recognized among the Best Business Schools for 2023 by Princeton Review, and Georgia Southern’s online and graduate business programs continue to earn high marks from U.S. News & World Report, Intelligent.com, and College Values Online. These accolades underscore the College’s commitment to academic excellence, affordability, and student success. For more information about the Parker College of Business, please visit the following link: https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/colleges/parker-business

Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University is the state’s largest and most comprehensive center of higher education south of Atlanta. With more than 140 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, Georgia Southern has been designated a Carnegie Doctoral/R2 “high research” university and serves over 27,000 students from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico as well as 140 nations. Founded in 1906 as a small agricultural school, Georgia Southern has grown exponentially in almost 120 years as an institution and experienced historic milestones in its history. The most significant of these milestones was the consolidation of Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University in January 2018 to create the new Georgia Southern University.

Now with three vibrant campuses — the Statesboro Campus, the Armstrong Campus in Savannah and the Liberty Campus in Hinesville — Georgia Southern offers a dynamic environment which encourages learning, discovery and personal growth. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has earned special accreditation from professional and academic associations that set standards in their fields. Georgia Southern is an influencer and intellectual catalyst in southeast Georgia, a rapidly expanding region that is home to international companies such as Hyundai, Gulfstream and JCB, as well as the Port of Savannah and Georgia Ports Authority.

With a focus on hands-on learning, Georgia Southern is supporting the demand for highly skilled workers by providing academic excellence and creative innovation in a supportive, student-centered environment that empowers the next generation of leaders to succeed. Recently named one of the Best U.S. Colleges by The Wall Street Journal, Georgia Southern is nationally ranked for the caliber of its programs and services. For more information on the university profile, please visit the following link.

Nomination and Application Process

The Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, full resume/CV, and contact information of at least five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred that all nominations and applications be submitted by July 29, 2025. For more information, please contact:

Laurie Wilder, President
Porsha Williams, Vice President
Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal
Julia Butler-Mayes, Ph.D., Associate
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875
Atlanta, GA 30328
(770) 804-1996 ext. 111
pwilliams@parkersearch.com || janderson@parkersearch.com || jbutler-mayes@parkersearch.com

An equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.