By Brandon Fields
Staff Writer
The search for the new dean of the business school is still on.
In spring of 2015, university officials began the search without using a search firm. After failing to fill the position, the school engaged a search firm in the fall of 2015 and has been working with them since October.
According to Carol Fischer, Ph.D., interim dean of business and professor of accounting, the school is still early on in the multi-step process of finding a new dean.
“The outside search firm provided the committee, dedicated to finding the new dean, credentials of the applicant pool,” said Fischer. “The committee is reviewing those candidates to find a semi-finalist within the upcoming weeks. Then the committee will host one-on-one interviews with semi-finalist to narrow down finalists to invite to the school. Finally, one of the finalists will emerge as the new dean.”
According to Fischer, chair of the search for the new dean, the search team is looking for a candidate who has a collaborative leadership style; can represent the school of business well to the school’s alumni, prospective students and the community; and who supports the mission of the university and the School of Business.
The applicants must have a doctorate in a business field, according to Fischer. The applicant who gets the position must have sufficient publications and teaching experience to warrant an appointment at the associate professor level or higher. Applicants needs administrative and accreditation experience as well, said Fischer.
According to Fischer, her time as interim dean has been challenging yet rewarding. She said she has a busy schedule and time management is important in her position, making each day different.
The new dean would be responsible for providing leadership to business school faculty, overseeing undergraduate and graduate curriculum and maintaining the university’s AACSB accreditation. As the “face” of the school of business, interacting with the local community and alumni to gain support for the school are also some of the dean’s responsibilities, said Fischer.
According to Fischer, most of the past deans have not been Bonaventure alumni; however, Brian McAllister and herself have both served in the position in recent years and are Bona alumni.
The committee is currently reviewing applicants, and everything is confidential at this point, said Fischer. In the upcoming months the status of the position will be announced.
fieldsbj14@bonaventure.edu
