Skip to main content

Emporia State University

School of Business & Technology – Dean Search Profile 2026

The Opportunity

Emporia State University (ESU) seeks applications and nominations to serve as the next Dean of the School of Business and Technology (SBT). Located in the vibrant city of Emporia, Kansas, ESU is a student-centered institution committed to academic excellence, innovative programs, and close partnerships that drive real world impact. With a strong “Students First” philosophy, Emporia State empowers learners from all backgrounds through transformational experiences that prepare them for meaningful careers.

The SBT has a rich and storied history in the region, is AACSB accredited, and features the BizHornet Center, a dedicated student career development hub, offering specialized services specifically for SBT students. In addition, SBT faculty and staff integrate a variety of high-impact learning experiences within the classroom, fulfilling the University’s mission of “preparing students for lifelong learning, rewarding careers, and adaptive leadership.”

The School of Business and Technology seeks a Dean with exceptional leadership attributes grounded in transparency, collaboration, integrity, and genuine appreciation for occupying an impactful seat in a campus setting. The SBT and extended community will lean into a leader with an accessible and relational ethos, who puts student outcomes at the center of their decision-making, and seeks to ensure all students have an opportunity to reach their potential. The next Dean of SBT must be a proactive, entrepreneurial, and strategic leader with a keen sense of identifying opportunity and facilitating the infrastructure to achieve initiatives. Emporia State university seeks a Dean that will galvanize staff, faculty, alumni, and community members and inspire SBT to develop a unique value proposition in a competitive landscape.

The Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the SBT, which includes undergraduate programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Information Systems, and graduate programs in Accountancy, Business Administration, and Information Technology. The Dean will work closely with associate and assistant deans, faculty, and staff to continue to develop a comprehensive strategic vision for the SBT, including the development of the newly approved Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and the expansion of the Cybersecurity Research and Outreach Center.

Emporia State University: Changing Lives Since 1863

Core Responsibilities
  • Serves as the chief academic and administrative officer for SBT
  • Strategically plans and ensures the overall effective operation for all programs.
  • Maintains fiscal responsibility and management for all personnel and operating budgets.
  • Provides leadership in the development and maintenance of academic excellence across all disciplines—through all program delivery systems.
  • Effectively represents and advocates for the programs, faculty, staff, and students to the University community and external constituents.
  • Supervises and annually evaluates personnel, including promotion and tenure.
  • Provides leadership in faculty recruitment.
  • Provides support and leadership for maintenance of AACSB accreditation.
  • Demonstrates and promotes collaborative efforts with other schools/colleges within the University and with external constituents.
  • Pursues active membership on state and national professional committees to promote visibility for the school and ESU.
  • Ensures compliance with State, Board of Regents, and University policies.
  • Participates in fundraising initiatives that impact the School and University, including collaboration with personnel from the ESU Foundation and external stakeholders.
  • Ensures that student learning outcome assessment plans and curriculum are implemented, reviewed, and revised (as appropriate) for each academic program.
  • Supports ESU and SBT outreach initiatives to attract a varied student body and increase student enrollment and retention.
  • Leads a vibrant culture of student, staff, and faculty learning.
  • Monitors the physical facilities within the school to ensure they are appropriately maintained and state-of-the-art
Required Professional and Educational Experiences
  • Professional record as an accomplished administrator.
  • Demonstrated record in teaching, service, and research.
  • Experience and involvement with the preparation for AACSB accreditation or reaccreditation.
  • Experience and involvement with shared governance, budgeting, and personnel issues.
  • Evidence of excellent human relations and communication skills as demonstrated through effective work with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Earned terminal degree from an accredited institution in a business-related discipline.
  • Experience with fundraising, community, and donor/alumni relations.
Preferred Professional Experiences
  • Minimum of three years’ experience as dean, associate dean, department chair, or equivalent administrative roles at the level of Associate Professor or above.
  • Experience with building partnerships between academic programs and external entities.
How to Apply

CBIZ Higher Education Practice has been selected to partner with Emporia State University.

Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed to: Pelema Ellis, Ph.D., MBA EVP & Head, Higher Education Practice pelema.ellis@cbiz.com

Applications should include a 1) current CV and 2) a letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications described in the position profile.

Consideration will be given to materials received by the submission deadline of Friday, April 10th, 2026.

Emporia State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other factors which cannot be considered by law.