Dean Transition Announced

Mary Gowan, Dean of the College of Business and the Kenneth R. Bartee Endowed Professor, recently announced that she will be moving to a faculty position in the School of Strategic Leadership Studies, the Ph.D. granting affiliate of the College of Business, at the end of this academic year. Dean Gowan is completing a five-year term as dean. She came to JMU in 2013 and has led the college through a major strategic planning process and implementation, successful reaccreditation of the business and accounting programs, launch of a differential tuition plan, addition of a new MBA concentration, creation of the Office of Experiential Learning with a growth in professional development activities for students, a substantial increase in fundraising, and planning for the new College of Business Learning Complex, and more. In making the announcement, Dean Gowan noted the desire to return to a faculty role to work on some writing and other projects, and the need for more time to care for her mother. Provost Heather Coltman will be announcing the process for a dean’s search in the near future. Dean Gowan notes “It has been a pleasure to serve as the dean of the College of Business at James Madison University. I continue to be impressed with the student-centered focus of the faculty, the work ethic of our students, the employer commitment and the growing engagement of our alumni. I look forward to taking on a new role with the college as a faculty member working with doctoral students, preparing the next generation of leaders for higher education, non-profits and other organizations.”