11 minute read
Dean Brenda Flannery: A Legacy of Love and Innovation in the College of Business
BY SARAH ASP OLSON
When you’ve dedicated 12 years of your life to a job — 27 years to an institution — you can’t help but think about your legacy. And while anyone could look at Brenda Flannery’s list of accomplishments over the course of her decade-plus career as dean of the College of Business and see a legacy of growth, innovation and connection, she looks at her legacy as something less tangible, though no less real.
“My legacy? Maybe it's just that I really loved the college,” she says. “I just love this place.”
This summer, Flannery will step away from her role as Dean of the College of Business, but she has no plans to leave. Flannery will rejoin the faculty as a professor of management. In truth, it’s not so much a return as a continuation. It was Flannery’s commitment to her discipline that gave her the push to go into leadership.
“When I started as an administrator, I remember thinking, ‘okay, my discipline is management, leadership, entrepreneurship, this role will allow me to practice and see how theories work in the field.’ I used it all the time,” she says. “The last 15 years as an administrator have been an opportunity for me to test the theories in the field.”
It’s an unusual move, she admits, leaving an upper administrative role after so many years and staying put. But when it came down to it, she just wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the place where her kids grew up — where she grew up — or to what she’s built here.
“This place — the University, Mankato, our home — for both me and my husband it feels like a part of us.”
So, instead of saying goodbye, the College and the community get to keep Flannery’s energy, innovative spirit and love for her work. And the College will continue to reap the benefits of her time as dean as the programs and processes she’s put in place live on.
Here, we’ll look back at all Flannery has accomplished (though she’s quick to point out everything she has done has been a true team effort) and look forward to the next chapter in Flannery’s life in this place.
A Decade of Success
In 2011, Flannery made history when she was hired as the first female dean of the College of Business after a national search. Over the years, she has worked tirelessly with her team to make a lasting impact on the College.
“Dean Flannery is a visionary and an entrepreneurial spirit,” says Marilyn Fox, director of the MBA and AACSB and Flannery’s longtime friend and colleague. “She has high standards yet believes in transparency, inclusion, sharing information, and collaboration.”
From launching new programs like the Master of Accounting degree (MAcc) and Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor to securing AACSB accreditation and overseeing Morris Hall’s renovation, Flannery has been at the helm of numerous transformations. Her dedication to growth and innovation has fostered an environment that encourages faculty and students to strive for excellence.
12 NEW PROGRAMS IN TWELVE YEARS
1 Masters (MAcc)
3 Graduate Certificates
3 Minors
6 Undergrad Certificates
10+ NEW High impact signature courses
2 Undergraduate Degrees (BBA and Agribusiness & Food Innovation)
3 100% Online Degrees
A Timeline of Innovation
2012
• United Prairie Bank Integrated Business Experience Launches with 12 students.
• Launched Richard Schmitz Food Entrepreneurship Lecture Series
2014
• Greater Mankato Growth Business Education Partnership Award (with Taylor Corporation)
2015
• Launched Big Ideas Challenge with gift from alumni Craig and Pat Lloyd
• Launched COB Research Day
2016
• Launched David Olson MBA Scholarship and Internship Program
2017
• Launched the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in renovated space in Hubbard Building
2018
• Glen A Taylor Foundation Bold Futures Camp
• Launched Curt and Julie Stangler Internship Initiative with a $1 million gift
2019
• Henze Ag Innovators Program and Gift
2020
• Pandemic initiatives to pivot quickly to online learning, including a fully online Big Ideas Challenge and IBE.
2021
• Agribusiness and Food Innovation Program
2022
• Undergraduate Integrated Business Experience Certificate
• Greater Mankato Growth Brian Fazio Business Education Partnership Award (with United Prairie Bank)
• Launched Tenorio Research Lecture Gift and Series
Innovating for the Future
Flannery has always pushed for innovation. New opportunities like the United Prairie Bank Integrated Business Experience (IBE), the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Henze Ag Innovators program have provided unique opportunities for students to engage with the business world in Mankato and beyond.
“A lot of the role of the dean is to be scanning the environment,” says Flannery. “We’ve done a lot of program innovation based on what we’re seeing in the business world.”
For example, when AACSB accreditation standards changed, Flannery embraced diversifying the faculty by hiring professors with years of industry experience, even if they held master’s degrees rather than a traditional Ph.D. Scanning the industry landscape has also led to innovations like the IBE, which has become the College’s signature program; the Master of Accounting degree; and the Big Ideas Challenge, which has launched dozens of student-led startups.
“We’re constantly rethinking our curriculum to align with our vision of being the clear business school choice for real-world learning,” she says.
Leading by Example
Flannery is quick to point out that nothing happens without the support of a team of talented and dedicated colleagues. Throughout her tenure as dean, she’s been committed to collaboration. Accordingly, she’s created a culture within the College of Business where all voices — students, faculty and staff — are heard and valued.
“Dean Flannery encourage[s] faculty to follow their interests and push themselves,” says professor of business law, Wade Davis. “She’s a tireless advocate of the College’s students, programs and faculty.”
“Dean Flannery is a beacon of positivity, support, and encouragement for the students of the College of Business,” says finance student Aidan Ryan. “She listens to student concerns, provides endless support and guidance, and has curated a wonderful and welcoming atmosphere at the College of Business. As students, we will always be eternally grateful for everything she has done in her tenure.”
Growing the Ranks
Flannery oversaw hiring of 27 new probationary faculty and 13 new staff, including the College’s first Communications and Marketing Director.
“Through her leadership, Dean Flannery was creative in establishing a work environment in which many of the traditional roles in the COB were transformed into new positions that allowed for more collaboration and new leadership roles within the faculty and staff,” says Dr. Shane Bowyer, director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the AgriBusiness & Food Innovation Program.
Operational Excellence
In 2019, Flannery implemented an Administrative Assistant Team Specialist model within the College. Instead of administrative assistants performing general duties for a single department, Flannery and team rewrote job descriptions, redefining administrative roles as specialists within teams. This move enhanced cross-training opportunities and facilitated better staff relationships, ultimately elevating the overall student experience.
Community-Wide Collaboration
Flannery’s time as dean has also been marked by her ability to forge strong partnerships with organizations and businesses in the community — a boon for the College and its students. By collaborating with groups like Vetter Stone, United Prairie Bank, and Taylor Corporation, she has created valuable opportunities for students to learn from real-world experiences.
“Dean Flannery was always looking for ways for business leaders to mentor our students,” says Davis. “Based on her efforts, Ron Vetter, the CEO of Vetter Stone, graciously cooked four of our students dinner at his home. He continued to guide and advise those students as they moved toward graduation.”
Partnerships like these have not only enriched the college but also contributed to the growth and prosperity of the Mankato community as a whole.
“The college is going to miss a true modern-day pioneer in how education is looked upon, engaged in and delivered. I really mean that,” says United Prairie Bank President Stuart Sneer. “She has shown me her visionary and entrepreneurial side multiple times. Each time is something new, exciting and always with the thought of enhancing student education. She will stand out amongst the many other visionaries who’ve walked the bricks on that campus.”
At Home in Mankato
Flannery has served beyond the University campus on a number of regional boards, including GreenSeam, Mayo Clinic, the YWCA, and as one of the founding board members of the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota.
The Next Chapter
As Flannery looks forward to her sabbatical and return to her faculty roles, she remains dedicated to the College of Business, the University, and the region. For her, it’s less about stepping away and more about stepping into what’s next: an interdisciplinary focus on education, innovation, and sustainability. What will that look like? She’s not sure just yet.
“I’ve always tried to be someone who scans the environment and helps bring opportunities to the College,” she says. “I hope to be of use — to the college, the University, and the region — in whatever I do. In the big picture, I feel I owe it to myself to think freely for a bit about what it means to be entrepreneurial in this next chapter. My aspiration is to just keep innovating.” 2022 2023
2011
Started as first female dean of College of Business after national search
2012
• Masters of Accounting
• Integrated Business Experience Pilot (12 students)
• Launched College of Business In Review magazine
• Added first COB IT Director
• Launched Richard Schmitz Food Entrepreneurship Lecture Series
2013
• Actuarial Science minor (joint with Mathematics and Statistics)
• AACSB Accreditation Visit
• Added first COB Communications and Marketing Director
• Glen Taylor as the Morgan Thomas Executive Lecture
• Renovated Morris Hall with Finance Lab (MH208) and Student Commons Areas
2014
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor
• Greater Mankato Growth Business Education Partnership Award (with Taylor Corporation)
• Added first COB Internship and Partnership Coordinator
2015
• Graduate Tax Certificate
• Launched BUS397 Integrated Business Experience Practicum
• Launched BUS295 Professional Preparation for Business Careers
• Launched Big Ideas Challenge (gift from Craig and Pat Lloyd)
• Launched COB Research Day
• First staff member (Linda Meidl) to receive MnSCU Board of Trustee Professional Excellence Award.
• Development of 2015-2020 College of Business Strategic Plan
2016
• Launched David Olson MBA Scholarship and Internship Program
• Launched Second Year Business Learning Community
• Renovated Morris Hall adding new COB Student Center and McCracken Conference Room
2017
• Undergraduate Business Analytics Certificate
• Launch of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in renovated space in Hubbard Building
• Supplemental Instructor Program Launch in Accounting 200
• Beta Alpha Psi Nu Chi chapter installation
• First COB faculty member (Dr. Byron Pike) to be a recipient of the Douglas R. Moore Faculty Research Award.
2018
• MGMT 360 AgriBusiness in the Modern Economy course
• Allen Lenzmeier Endowed Accounting Chair Gift ($1 million gift)
• University’s Sesquicentennial Celebration
• AACSB Accreditation Visit
• Glen A Taylor Foundation Bold Futures Camp
• Curt and Julie Stangler Internship Initiative ($1 million gift)
• $135,585 Minnesota State Multi-Campus Grant
2019
• 100% Online Bachelor of Business Administration
• Agribusiness and Food Innovation Minor
2020
• COVID-19 pandemic
• Graduate Business Leadership Certificate
• Launched Accounting Abstract magazine
• Added National Association of Black Accountants student chapter
2021
• COVID-19 pandemic
• Agribusiness and Food Innovation B.S.
• MBA 100% Online
• MAcc 100% Online
• AGBZ 496 Internship (first program with required internship course)
• Launched Student Executive Team
2022
• Undergraduate Integrated Business Experience Certificate
• Greater Mankato Growth Brian Fazio Business Education Partnership Award (with United Prairie Bank)
• Launched Tenorio Research Lecture Gift and Series
2023
• Undergraduate Professional Sales Certificate
• Undergraduate Accelerated Certificate in Accounting
• Graduate Certificate in Assurance
• Undergraduate Entrepreneurship & Innovation Certificate
• Undergraduate Business Law Certificate
• Development of 2023-2025 Strategic Plan
• AACSB Accreditation Visit