Dean, College of Business

Dean, College of Business
University of Rhode Island

The University of Rhode Island (URI) seeks a visionary, collaborative, and entrepreneurial leader to serve as the next Dean of the College of Business at a pivotal moment in the institution's history. As URI builds upon its recent Carnegie R1 designation and advances the ambitious goals of its strategic plan - FOCUS URI - the next Dean will have a unique opportunity to elevate Rhode Island's flagship business school and strengthen its position among the nation's leading public colleges of business. The Dean will join a thriving institution recognized for academic excellence, research growth, student success, and innovation.

Serving more than 2,600 students across undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and executive programs, the College of Business is AACSB accredited and distinguished by strengths in areas including supply chain management, accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Supported by more than 75 faculty members, the College is committed to experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and preparing graduates to lead in a rapidly evolving global economy. The next Dean will build upon these strengths while guiding the College through a period of transformation shaped by advances in artificial intelligence, changing workforce demands, and expanding expectations for research impact.

The successful candidate will articulate and implement a compelling vision for the College's future; foster excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship; and align resources with strategic priorities that advance measurable outcomes. The Dean will work collaboratively across the University to strengthen interdisciplinary partnerships, support faculty success, grow graduate and doctoral education, and position the College as a leader in innovative business education and applied research.

Equally important, the next Dean will serve as a visible ambassador for the College and University, cultivating relationships with alumni, donors, corporate partners, and regional leaders to expand philanthropic support, enhance experiential learning opportunities, and deepen the College's impact across Rhode Island and beyond. The Dean will also foster a culture defined by transparency, trust, inclusive excellence, shared governance, and collaboration, empowering faculty and staff while building leadership capacity throughout the organization. 

The ideal candidate will possess an earned doctorate, credentials suitable for appointment as a tenured full professor, and a demonstrated record of effective leadership within business education. Most importantly, the next Dean will combine strategic vision, scholarly credibility, external engagement, and collaborative leadership to shape the next chapter of excellence for the URI College of Business.

A detailed leadership profile is available at wittkieffer.com.

Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be submitted through the WittKieffer Candidate Portal. Applicants should submit, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest that addresses the themes outlined in this profile. WittKieffer is assisting the University of Rhode Island in this search. For full consideration, candidate materials should be received by December 11, 2026.

Nominations and inquiries can also be directed to Ryan Crawford, Cathryn Davis, and Corin Edwards at URI-COBDean@wittkieffer.com.

The University of Rhode Island is an equal-opportunity employer. It is the policy of the University of Rhode Island to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability.