Dean College of Business
Leadership Profile 2023
Dean, College of Business Northern Illinois University (NIU), a student-centered, nationally recognized public research university located 65 miles west of Chicago invites applications for the position of dean of the College of Business. NIU seeks an accomplished and visionary academic leader to advance our strong culture of teaching, research, service and innovation. NIU offers the dean an incredible opportunity to implement bold and positive new initiatives in partnership with the president, the provost and a collegial group of deans and vice presidents. NIU has a stimulating university environment, supportive local community and an enthusiastic and engaged alumni base. NIU College of Business serves the greater Chicago region and beyond. The NIU College of Business core values — excellence, integrity and caring — provide a framework for our decisions and guides our actions. Our students come from modest beginnings, and many are the first in their families to attend college. At NIU, faculty and staff provide active learning experiences that create competencies demanded of the occupations of the future. Our model of engaged learning helps foster deep partnerships, and the resulting real-world experiences expand students’ content knowledge, social and cultural aptitude, entrepreneurial mindset, and digital and data skills. Students build professional networks, put voice to their values and become changemakers in their communities and organizations. Our commitment to excellence is also expressed through our scholarship which is discipline-based and contributes to practice. Faculty are regularly recognized for their outstanding scholarly activity. Nationally recognized, our College of Business is among the elite 5% of business schools worldwide that have AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting and is one of the nation’s esteemed business schools for 35 consecutive years (since 1987) according to the U.S. News & World Report (2022 ranking). The college has a strong reputation in academic and industry circles for preparing principled business leaders of tomorrow and has deep connections with over 300 firms in Chicago and the suburbs including Fortune companies as well as entrepreneurial startups. The experiential learning model of the college is
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Northern Illinois University | Dean, College of Business | Leadership Profile | 2023
distinguished by ensuring students have the ability to integrate knowledge across functional areas to turn challenges into opportunities. Among its many achievements, our College of Business is recognized for its active engagement in the Chicago-area business community as well as for its nationally and world-renowned faculty — the majority of whom served as business professionals before earning their doctorates.
Position Summary: The dean serves as a senior administrative officer who reports directly to the provost and is responsible for the academic, programmatic, administrative and fiscal leadership of the College of Business. The dean leads the college and works in collaboration with the faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders to formulate and implement an effective strategic plan consistent with the institutionwide planning, budgeting and evaluation process. This position develops, fosters and maintains positive and productive relationships with key college stakeholders within and external to the university. The dean manages the college’s budget and resources effectively, transparently and collaboratively.
Responsibilities: • Provides leadership of the academic, programmatic, administrative and fiscal endeavors of the College of Business. • Fosters collaboration with the faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders to formulate and implement an effective strategic plan consistent with the institutionwide planning, budgeting and evaluation process. • Develops, fosters and maintains positive and productive relationships with key college stakeholders within and external to the university. • Manages the college’s budget and resources effectively, transparently and collaboratively. • Works as a team member and plans in a way that aligns resources with goals. • Implements bold and positive new initiatives in partnership with the president, the provost and a collegial group of deans and vice presidents.
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Northern Illinois University | Dean, College of Business | Leadership Profile | 2023
Required Qualifications and Experience: • An earned doctorate or appropriate terminal degree. • Faculty credentials that demonstrate teaching experience and research, scholarship and/or creative achievement consistent with appointment to the NIU faculty at the rank of tenured full professor. • Progressive administrative experience in higher education and demonstrated visionary leadership skills. • Experience with budget and financial management processes, strategic planning, policy formation and personnel management.
Additional Requirements: • Knowledge and support of the vision, mission and core values of both the College of Business and the broader university. • Showcase an understanding of the various challenges facing colleges of business at student-centered, engaged, public research universities. • Commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as a part of the university’s overall strategic vision. • Respect for shared governance and documented ability to form strong working relationships with campus stakeholders. • Excellent interpersonal, collaborative and communications skills which perpetuate a continued culture of caring amongst all college stakeholders. • Ability to raise funds from a variety of sources including private donors, foundations and government agencies. • Possess the highest degree of personal integrity. • Possess the agility necessary to move ideas to action in a timely manner through shared leadership of the college. • Demonstrate integrity and superb judgment exemplified by fairness, flexibility, empathy and responsiveness. • Ability to work well as a team member and is someone who understands the importance of planning in a way that aligns resources with goals.
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Northern Illinois University | Dean, College of Business | Leadership Profile | 2023
Preferred Qualifications and Experience: • Experience working with collective bargaining units and an understanding of labor and management roles and responsibilities at an institution of higher education. • Proven competency to support and maintain productive relationships with the college’s internal and external stakeholders. • Demonstrated experience addressing challenges of student enrollment and retention while maintaining high academic standards. • A record of support and understanding of innovation within the context of a college of business. • Appreciation for the importance of access, affordability, accountability and regional engagement to the mission of a nationally recognized, regionally relevant public research university. • A capacity to promote and build academic excellence in teaching and research. • Knowledge of AACSB and all other accrediting standards pertinent to the college and an ability to interpret and implement applicable standards of accrediting bodies. • Appreciation for the value and importance of a well-rounded education that promotes integration of learning and develops the critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills essential for success at work, citizenship and life.
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Northern Illinois University | Dean, College of Business | Leadership Profile | 2023
Nominations/Application Nominations and applications will be held in confidence except for finalists. Completed applications should be received by Feb. 7, 2024, for optimal consideration; review of completed applications will continue until the position is filled. Candidates should include with their curriculum vitae a letter of application describing their relevant experiences and interest in the position, a separate diversity statement describing their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion together with the names, addresses and phone numbers of at least five references. References will not be contacted without prior permission of the applicant. Please submit all nominations, applications and communications to the search firm assisting NIU: Laurie Wilder, president Jacob Anderson, senior principal Parker Executive Search Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875 Atlanta, GA 30328 770-804-1996 x 111 janderson@parkersearch.com In compliance with the Illinois Campus Security Act, before an offer of employment is made, the university will conduct a pre-employment background investigation, which includes a criminal background check. In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action. NIU recognizes dual career issues.
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Northern Illinois University | Dean, College of Business | Leadership Profile | 2023
Northern Illinois University NIU is a student-centered, nationally recognized public research university with expertise that benefits its region and spans the globe in a wide variety of fields. The university offers baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral and law degrees across more than 40 academic departments and seven colleges: Business, Education, Engineering and Engineering Technology, Health and Human Sciences, Law, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts. NIU has a long, rich tradition of academic excellence with a breadth of programmatic offerings that support the academic aspirations of our students. Our nationally and internationally recognized faculty are not only dedicated to advancing their academic disciplines, but in collaboration with NIU staff are also focused on providing meaningful curricular and cocurricular experiences that prepare NIU students to be successful in achieving their future goals. NIU is home to the following colleges and academic units: • College of Business. • College of Education. • College of Engineering and Engineering Technology. • College of Health and Human Sciences. • College of Law. • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. • College of Visual and Performing Arts. • University Libraries. NIU is proximal to Chicago, the third-largest U.S. city. The area is a vibrant center of culture and technology, yet the university is sufficiently out of the traffic and congestion to afford faculty and students a healthier environment in which to live and study. The NIU community is committed to positive change and is focused on enhancing student academic and career success. NIU serves a large, diverse, rural, suburban and urban population, including many first-generation college students. NIU’s fall 2023 enrollment of 15,504 students consisted of 11,358 undergraduate students, 3,832 graduate students and 314 law students. The racial and ethnic diversity of our student body reflects that of the Chicagoland region and is 44% white; 21% Hispanic/Latino; 18% Black/African American; 6% Asian; and 7% international. About 4,100 students live on campus in five residence halls and an apartment complex. The university is dedicated to making a college degree accessible, equitable and affordable. Recognizing that students’ hard work in high school is reflected in their grades, we became one of the nation’s first public universities to announce test-free admission and merit scholarship processes. Further, our Huskie Pledge program is helping to ensure that qualifying Illinois students from lower-income households can attend college and pay no tuition and fees out of pocket for their first year and potentially beyond.
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Northern Illinois University | Dean, College of Business | Leadership Profile | 2023
NIU is committed to sustainability and is a signatory to the Second Nature Carbon Commitment, cementing the university’s pledge to climate action and setting in motion the process to incorporate sustainability into campus life, strategic planning and decision-making. The university this year drafted a sweeping Sustainability and Climate Action Plan that calls for NIU to “chart an ambitious path forward to become an innovator and leader in sustainability.” NIU is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral University/High Research Activity (R2) and Community Engaged University. NIU has also established a strong reputation for innovation and collaboration. Our research, artistry and engagement enterprises address complex, real-world challenges and help us to attract and retain students by providing them with robust learning opportunities, mentored research and artistry experiences, and connections to help launch their careers. In this context, our federal relations team has been a leading voice for equitable distribution of federal research funding. NIU’s research, service and engagement enterprises have surged in recent years. In Fiscal Year 2023, faculty and staff secured about 400 awards totaling $57 million in funding from outside sources, an increase of 34% over the previous year and a 60% increase since FY 2019. We’re particularly proud that a report assessing U.S. comprehensive research universities ranked NIU third nationally for “innovation impact productivity.” This ranking can be found in the report, “The Innovation Impact of U.S. Universities.”
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Northern Illinois University | Dean, College of Business | Leadership Profile | 2023
NIU is proud to have earned the following recognitions: • The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) has designated NIU as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University. • NIU is a 2023-24 College of Distinction. • NIU is recognized nationally for academic excellence. • NIU appears on listings of top college rankings by Forbes, Money, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Monthly, U.S. News & World Report and others. • In 2023, NIU ranked No. 158 in U.S. News & World Report Top Performers on Social Mobility and moved up 62 places in the U.S. News & World Report overall rankings of national universities, to No. 269. • The WSJ/College Pulse 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S. ranking rates the top 400 universities in the country. NIU ranks No. 61 for social mobility, No. 129 for student experience, No. 150 for salary of graduates and No. 221 overall. • In 2021, 2022 and 2023, NIU received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. • The Association of American Colleges and Universities selected NIU among a top group of “pathbreaking institutions” to host new Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Campus Centers. • NIU’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics earned the 2022 NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association Award for Diversity and Inclusion. NIU is the first institution in the history of the award to earn this prestigious honor twice (the first time in 2016). • NIU ranks among the most LGBTQ+-friendly colleges and universities in the nation. Setting the bar for LGBTQ+-inclusive polices, programs and practices, the national Campus Pride Index in 2022 and 2023 awarded NIU a five-star ranking — the highest possible rating. • NIU is proud to be an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution. • Nationally accredited programs include business; engineering; nursing; clinical and school psychology; visual and performing arts; teacher educator licensure and preparation; and others that meet the highest standards of academic quality and rigor.
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Northern Illinois University | Dean, College of Business | Leadership Profile | 2023
University Leadership President Lisa C. Freeman was appointed the 13th president of NIU in September 2018. In this role, President Freeman works to support all aspects of the university’s mission, emphasizing NIU’s continued commitments to promoting the social mobility of our students, producing high-impact scholarship and engaging with our region. Accordingly, she strives to create a learning environment where students, faculty and staff from a wide range of backgrounds feel welcome and included. President Freeman has been a member of the NIU senior leadership team and a professor of biology since 2010. She served as vice president for research and graduate studies from 2010 to 2013. She became executive vice president and provost in May 2014 after serving on an interim basis. President Freeman was recently recognized by Women We Admire as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Education of 2023. In addition to external recognition, her efforts have been recognized by the university community with a 2022 Women Empowerment Award from the Alpha Sigma Omega Latina Sorority, the 2021 Deacon Davis Diversity Award from the Presidential Commission of Race and Ethnicity and the 2020 Eychner award from the Presidential Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. President Freeman earned a bachelor’s degree in 1981, and a master’s degree and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1986 from Cornell University. She went on to earn a doctorate in philosophy in 1989 at The Ohio State University, and subsequently worked as a postdoctoral fellow and research scientist at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. In 2004-05, President Freeman was a fellow of the American Council on Education hosted by the University at Buffalo. President Freeman delivered her latest State of the University address Nov. 29, 2022.
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Northern Illinois University | Dean, College of Business | Leadership Profile | 2023
Vision, Mission and Core Values Northern Illinois University’s vision is to be an engine for innovation to advance social mobility; promote personal, professional and intellectual growth; and transform the world through research, artistry, teaching and outreach. The mission of Northern Illinois University is to empower students through educational excellence and experiential learning as we pursue knowledge, share our research and artistry, and engage communities for the benefit of the region, state, nation and world. In pursuing our vision and fulfilling our mission, we value and practice: • Curiosity and creativity. • We provide our students active learning experiences. • We champion innovation. • We commit our resources to supporting students, faculty and staff in their research, artistry and professional development. • Equity and inclusion. • We seek and are strengthened by the diverse perspectives and experiences of our university community members. • We use an inclusive, decision-making process. • We appreciate and respect every member of our community. • Ethics and integrity. • We prepare our students to become global leaders who work to build a better society. • We model ethical behavior in and out of the classroom. • We are transparent and accountable to our stakeholders. • Service and stewardship. • We serve society and confront local, national and global challenges through collaborations that improve our learning, teaching and research. • We make accessible the knowledge and resources we create. • We promote our students’ success through advising and mentoring.
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Northern Illinois University | Dean, College of Business | Leadership Profile | 2023
NIU has a fiercely proud alumni base of more than 258,000 who boast accomplished careers in a diverse array of fields and professions. They primarily reside in the northern Illinois region, creating dynamic professional networks for NIU students and faculty, and providing economic vitality to the region and state. Our Alumni Association strives to build lifelong relationships with NIU alumni and friends by offering programs and services that foster pride in the university, support its goals and meet alumni needs. This includes support for affinity groups that bring together alumni with similar backgrounds and interests. Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion DEI and belonging are defining characteristics at NIU. We know that the differences, along with the commonalities, of all who live, study and work here shape and strengthen our Huskie community in meaningful ways. Defined broadly at NIU, our growing diversity is one of our greatest strengths. While we are proud of our diverse Huskie community, we know it is not enough to simply be diverse. We will continue to be vigilant in our efforts to ensure all Huskies feel welcome, included, valued and uplifted. Our commitment, plans and progress for how Huskies are working together for racial and social justice, equity and inclusion are aligned with the expectations of the Illinois Board of Higher Education and reflected in our mission, vision and values; our Strategic Enrollment Management Plan; and our annual university goals.
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Northern Illinois University | Dean, College of Business | Leadership Profile | 2023
Northern Illinois University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. Printed by authority of the state of Illinois. niu.edu 55970 11/23
Alumni
1425 W. Lincoln Highway DeKalb, IL 60115-2828