Dean and the Joel R. Stubblefield Endowed Business Chair

AGB Search is pleased to assist the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) in the search for the Dean of the College of Business and Industry.This position will also carry the title of the Joel R. Stubblefield Endowed Business Chair, which comes with a discretionary fund to support the advancement and impact of the department’s academic programs, faculty and students. The activities supported by this endowment can include research and scholarly work, student success initiatives, professional travel for networking and collaboration, and organizing academic events such as seminars and conferences.

The College of Business and Industry at UAFS is recognized for a transformational educational experience that rests upon a foundation of proven competencies, delivered by a faculty whose scholarly activity focuses on instruction and application. The College is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and also holds accreditation from the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering ATMAE for its technical and applied engineering programs.

The College’s concentration-based business curriculum is comprised of 13 professional pathways including core, professional or public accounting, business economics, business interdisciplinary, corporate finance and investments, consumer and digital marketing, human resources, general management, small enterprise management, and supply chain management. Its signature engineering program, the Bachelor’s Degree in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, launched this fall and is the first of its kind in the state. The university plans to seek ABET accreditation for this program. Additional 2+2 electrical and mechanical engineering programs are completed entirely on the UAFS campus in partnership with the University of Arkansas.

The College also offers certificate and associate programs in electrical engineering, electronics technology, mechanical engineering, and welding technology. Additionally, the College directly contributes to the certificate and associate degree programs offered exclusively through the Western Arkansas Technical Center (WATC). Students enrolled in programs such as network engineering and computer integrated machining comprise a significant number of students and credentials earned in the College.

The Dean will foster interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaborations within the College, across campus, and in the community. This position provides the opportunity to set and execute the strategic direction for the College, ensuring program compliance with state and national accreditation guidelines. Critical to success is a history of working with a dynamic and diverse team of university administrators, faculty, staff, and key stakeholders to implement and advance the University’s academic and research goals, and other associated initiatives and priorities. The position reports to the Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.

Candidates must possess an earned terminal degree from a regionally accredited institution in one of the disciplines in the College, experience as a dean or associate dean or a minimum five years of experience in a department head or related higher educational administrative position supervising faculty in Business or Engineering, and experience with programmatic accreditation, including AACSB or ABET. The salary will be commensurate with education and experience with a minimum of $175,000 plus benefits.

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is a dynamic, mid-sized public university offering over 70 academic programs, including certificates, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. Fort Smith, Arkansas’s third largest city, offers a rich blend of history, culture, and natural beauty along the Arkansas River, with a welcoming community and thriving downtown.

A complete Leadership Profile with additional information may be found here.

Nominations and Applications

AGB Search is pleased to assist the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith with this leadership search.

To apply for the position of Dean, College of Business and Industry, candidates are requested to submit the following:

1. A letter of interest addressing the qualifications and responsibilities identified in the profile;
2. Resume or curriculum vitae, and
3. The contact information (email address and phone number) for three professional references, including their relationship to the candidate. References will not be contacted without prior authorization from the candidate.

For best consideration, all materials must be submitted by June 1, 2026,by uploading them to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS. Please do not submit materials to the AGB Search consultants.

Nominations and expressions of interest in the position of Dean, College of Business and Industry are encouraged. Please direct them to UAFSDeanCBI@agbsearch.com or to the AGB search consultants listed below.

Concetta M. Stewart, PhD

Principal

Concetta.stewart@agbsearch.com

908.341.2178

Laura Woodworth-Ney, PhD

Principal

laura.woodworth-ney@agbsearch.com

208.589.8896