8 minute read
A New Era
By Emily Daniels
In the heart of Mississippi State University’s campus, a new era has dawned with the appointment of Dr. Scott Grawe as the 11th Dean of the College of Business. Grawe, a seasoned academic and professional leader, brings not only a wealth of experience but a deep-rooted commitment to shaping the landscape and future of business education.
As the newest steward of MSU’S College of Business, Grawe stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation, ready to propel the College to new heights. In this interview, he shares insights into his background, his diverse professional journey, his passion for education and his vision for moving the College of Business forward.
Grawe, the oldest of three children, grew up in Independence, IA, a small town of around 6,000 residents. He and his two brothers were sports fanatics – playing everything from baseball to football to basketball to golf. By high school, Grawe had developed into a standout baseball pitcher, and several college scouts and coaches took notice. One of the coaches who expressed early interest was none other than Ron Polk, the esteemed head coach of the Mississippi State University Diamond Dawgs.
“I ultimately ended up signing with Iowa State University, which meant my family could come to see me play,” Grawe recalls.
Coach Polk left a lasting impression, though. A simple note to say “congratulations” on his commitment to Iowa State set Mississippi State apart from other schools.
“He was the only coach to congratulate me on my commitment to another school. That stuck with me, and I have been pulling for the Bulldogs since that time,” says Grawe.
Reflecting on his baseball days at Iowa State, Grawe shares, “Sports teach valuable lessons that extend beyond the field. Discipline, perseverance, and the ability to work as a team—these are the qualities that have informed my approach to leadership in academia."
During his freshman year at Iowa State, he took a chemistry class and was paired with a young chemical engineering major named Michelle as his lab partner for the semester. She, too, was a college athlete, playing women’s basketball for the Cyclones. Thanks to some matchmaking by classmates and a few people in the athletic department, the two hit it off, and by their senior year they were wed.
After hanging up his cleats, Grawe graduated from Iowa State with a bachelor’s degree in finance, a beautiful wife and a world of opportunity ahead. The newlyweds remained in Ames for a short time before Michelle accepted a job in Colorado. Grawe applied for a human resources position with Target Corporation in Pueblo, CO, but the hiring manager had other ideas.
“When I interviewed, they said, ‘Hey, I see you went to school at Iowa State, and they have a strong supply chain program. Would you be interested in a transportation supervisor position?’” says Grawe. “I told them I would give it a shot. I fell in love with supply chain operations after that, and six months later they moved me to headquarters in Minneapolis, where I managed relationships and capacity planning with all our domestic truckload carriers, our ocean carriers and international air freight providers.”
While still working, he decided to further his education and earned an MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. After several years with Target, Grawe saw an opportunity and joined Polaris Industries, managing supply chain operations for one of its divisions.
“One of my MBA professors encouraged me to really think about getting a PhD in supply chain management because he liked my approach to problem-solving and thought that my work experience would be valuable in my research and in the classroom,” he says. “My wife’s parents were both professors, so I had a basic understanding of working in academics, and then some of my mentors directed me toward one of the leading scholars in the discipline, who was heading the doctoral program at the University of Oklahoma’s Price College of Business.”
After earning his PhD from Oklahoma, Grawe, his wife and their four young children packed up and returned to his alma mater in the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business at Iowa State. He began as an Assistant Professor and continued to publish in leading journals, eventually becoming a full Professor in supply chain management. During his 13 years in Ames, he served in various leadership roles, including Associate Dean of Strategy and Engagement, Interim Director of the Study Abroad program and most recently, Chair of the Department of Supply Chain Management.
“I truly enjoyed my time at Iowa State, and after our kids moved on to attend school and start their lives in new places, I started thinking about the next step in my academic journey,” he shares. “When I learned about the opportunity at Mississippi State, I had to check it out. I have known some of the supply chain faculty for several years, and they had only said great things about the school. After spending time with some of the faculty and students, I was excited for the opportunity. This was reinforced when I had a chance to meet leaders across campus and see the support they provide for one another and their energy for continuing to move MSU forward.”
Grawe officially began his role as College of Business Dean in July 2023. With a keen eye on the future, he envisions a dynamic and innovative path for the College. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and evolving global landscapes, he believes that business education must be agile and responsive to change.
“We need to be the preferred choice for students seeking launchpads for their business careers,” Grawe states. “Our graduates have led multinational organizations, regional operations and successful start-ups, and our current students are well on their way to similar heights. To prepare our students for success across a broad range of endeavors, we need to equip them with not only foundational knowledge but also the skills to navigate complexity, adapt to change and embrace innovation.”
Grawe emphasizes the importance of building relationships as part of a healthy education.
“One thing that you learn very quickly when leading supply chains is that no one can do it on their own,” he states. “Your ability to build and manage relationships with people from different parts of the world with much different backgrounds and life experiences is critical for success. Our curriculum will give students a well-equipped toolbox for getting started, but we are also committed to providing opportunities in and out of the classroom for students to collaborate and make the most of their time in the College of Business.”
One of his key priorities is to strengthen the College’s connections with the business community. Grawe emphasizes the importance of collaboration between academia and industry to ensure that the curriculum remains relevant and that students are well-prepared for the demands of the professional world.
“We want our students to graduate not only with degrees but also with a profound understanding of how their education translates into real-world impact,” he states. “That bridge between academia and industry is crucial, and I am committed to fostering meaningful partnerships that benefit both our students and the business community. You will see us develop new experiential learning opportunities that allow students to partner with organizations to solve problems under the guidance of an instructor and set themselves apart from others when beginning their careers.”
Grawe extends a warm invitation to the College of Business alumni to join him in shaping the future. Their experiences, he believes, are integral to the continued success of the College.
“Alumni are the living embodiment of the impact of our education,” he says. “Their successes, challenges and lessons learned contribute to the narrative of our College. I am eager to engage with our alumni community, to hear their stories and to work together in ensuring that MSU’s College of Business continues to be a beacon of excellence.”
As the College embarks on this new chapter under Dr. Scott Grawe’s guidance, the stage is set for a future where students emerge as skilled professionals and leaders equipped to navigate the complexities of the global business landscape. With a dynamic curriculum, a commitment to making experiential learning available to all students and a faculty at the leading edge of business research, MSU’s College of Business is poised to shape the next generation of business leaders who will drive positive change in the world.
