Dean, College of Business and Information Systems at InsideHigherEd

Dakota State University seeks an innovative, strategic, and relational leader to serve as the next Dean of the College of Business and Information Systems (BIS). BIS leverages the synergy of business, information systems, health informatics, artificial intelligence, and analytics, offering programs from associate through doctoral levels that prepare graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing digital economy. The next dean will champion a mission and vision that leverage DSU’s distinctive technology and cyber focus to strengthen the college’s visibility and impact regionally and nationally.

The dean will be a dynamic academic leader who understands current and emerging industry trends and is excited to cultivate partnerships with business and industry, engage advisory boards, and support faculty in creating innovative programs, pathways, and opportunities. A strong commitment to student success is essential, as is the ability to foster collaboration across all areas of BIS and DSU’s colleges.

Requirements:
The successful candidate will have:

• Earned doctorate degree or recognized terminal degree in a related field from an accredited university.
• Credentials commensurate with an appointment at the rank of associate or full professor.
• Current higher education experience, including successful university teaching and a record of research/scholarship and service.
• Demonstrated effective academic leadership experience, including change management and continuous improvement of teaching and learning.
• Experience with curriculum and program design, assessment, and budget oversight.
• A strong commitment to student success, including strategies to enhance enrollment, retention, and graduation.
• Experience recruiting, retaining, and developing faculty and staff, including participation in promotion and tenure processes and faculty workload management.
• Ability to engage effectively with external stakeholders to promote academic programs, research endeavors, and university initiatives.
• Knowledge of accreditation processes (Higher Learning Commission and/or programmatic accreditation preferred).
• Ability to leverage technology and data for decision making, reporting, and communication.
• Industry experience and knowledge of current professional practice are highly beneficial, particularly in fields connected to business, information systems, health informatics and information management, analytics, and related disciplines.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. (Sponsorship is not available for this position.)

Key Responsibilities

• Provide visionary, mission-driven leadership for the College of Business and Information Systems, setting stretch goals and building broad buy-in and consensus for the college’s direction.
• Lead strategic enrollment growth efforts, including development of new and existing programs aligned with employer needs, market trends, and DSU’s technology and cyber focus.
• Champion student success by promoting high-impact teaching and learning practices, supporting student engagement opportunities (e.g., clubs, competitions, organizations), and implementing strategies to improve retention and graduation rates.
• Foster a culture of scholarship, research, sponsored programs, and cross-disciplinary collaboration within BIS and across DSU’s colleges.
• Represent the College of Business and Information Systems in regional and national venues, advancing the college’s visibility and reputation.
• Cultivate and sustain strong relationships with employers, industry leaders, advisory boards, and K–12 and collegiate partners to build career pathways and increase awareness of BIS programs.
• Recruit, retain, mentor, and develop faculty and staff; oversee annual reviews, promotion and tenure processes, and faculty workload and course rotations to maximize talent, efficiency, and impact.
• Promote excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies across all BIS disciplines.
• Provide effective oversight of budgets, workload, resources, facilities, and operations, ensuring alignment with university priorities and efficient support for college initiatives.
• Lead and support accreditation efforts, including attention to Higher Learning Commission expectations and programmatic accreditation processes, continuous improvement, and assessment of student learning.
• Facilitate constructive problem-solving and mediation of faculty, staff, and student concerns, ensuring that college policies and practices align with university policy and support a healthy, respectful work and learning environment.

Benefits:

• Flexible benefits package – health, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, hospital indemnity insurance, flexible spending account, health savings account, health reimbursement account.
• South Dakota Retirement System. Employees receive 6% fully matched contributions from SDRS and are vested after three years of service.
• Paid time off – full time 12-month employees earn 15 days per year of annual leave and 14 days of sick leave per year. In addition, employees receive 11 federal paid holidays.
• Reduced tuition for education.
• Professional liability
• Paid family leave

How to Apply:
To apply, visit https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu. The employment site will allow the attachment of a cover letter, curriculum vitae, transcripts, and contact information for at least three professional references.

For full consideration, please submit all materials by January 5, 2026. The search will remain open until the position is filled.  

DSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and DSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [email protected].
E-Verify, EOE.