Dean, Turner College of Business & Technology

Columbus State University (CSU) invites applications and nominations for the appointment of Dean, Turner College of Business & Technology.

About Columbus State

Columbus State University offers one of the most affordable educational options in the Southeast. This is especially true for students who use Georgia’s HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships, receive university scholarships or maximize their military tuition benefits.

The university offers its students a variety of degrees, programs, minors and certificates in 90-plus undergraduate and graduate academic programs across fine and performing arts, business, education, health professions, humanities, social sciences and STEM fields. Other academic experiences, like the Honors College, Servant Leadership, ROTC and study abroad, enable students to personalize their college journey, making it both challenging and career-oriented.

Columbus State is a member of the University System of Georgia (USG), which is comprised of 25 public institutions of higher education. The USG is led by a chancellor who reports to the USG Board of Regents.

The university’s endowment surpassed $100 million in 2024 for the first time and is now valued at more than $112 million—making it the largest among the USG’s nine state universities and seventh largest in the entire system. The CSU Foundation ended FY26 having secured $23.6 million in philanthropic gifts and commitments, which ranks among the three most-successful fundraising years in university history, and its most successful outside a public comprehensive fundraising year. Each academic year, more than 1,200 CSU students receive approximately $3 million in scholarships, with awards ranging from $100 to $5,000.

In 2025, the university instituted a multi-year, multi-million-dollar upgrade to its student success model, centered around adding International Coaching Federation-certified academic and career success coaches. Academic success coaches partner with students throughout their college experience to clarify goals, navigate academic decisions, and stay on track to graduate on time. Their career success coach counterparts provide tailored guidance to connect students with internships and build the professional mindset needed to leverage classroom knowledge and experiential learning to increase their career competitiveness and readiness. Students are assigned one of each and retain that assignment throughout their enrollment.

Columbus State is frequently lauded as a military-friendly institution and military-friendly spouse institution. This reputation is fostered through its Military-Connected Student Services team of admissions and financial aid counselors, as well as programs tailored to active-duty soldiers, veterans, retirees and their families at Fort Benning and installations around the country.

CSU’s 7,600-plus students have two distinct campus environments where they learn, live and lead. The traditional Main Campus covers more than 130 acres and features the Whitley Clock Tower quadrangle and other large green spaces where students can study, relax and play. Fifteen minutes away, the RiverPark Campus blends student learning and living with a robust downtown retail, dining and arts scene along the banks of the Chattahoochee.

Introduced to enhance student engagement, retention and success, “The River” core curriculum first-year-student sequence leverages the city itself as a dynamic classroom where community partnerships and hands-on project learning that bring their chosen majors to life. This program undergirds strategic plan priorities focused on increasing students’ experiential learning, institutional community impact and regional economic competitiveness.

Columbus State University Cougar Athletics features 275-plus student-athletes who compete as part of 13 NCAA Division II teams and a competitive cheer program in the Peach Belt Conference, alongside over 10 club/intramural sports and an eSports team.

Read more about these and more at columbusstate.edu/about.

Mission, Vision and Core Values

Mission

Columbus State University empowers its community, drives innovation and creates opportunities. To accomplish this, we will focus on: Student Success, Responsible Stewardship, Community Impact, and Economic Competitiveness.

Vision

Columbus State University aspires to be a leader in student success, academic excellence, economic development and community engagement through transformative education and strong partnerships.

Core Values

• Excellence: Actively engaging outstanding methods in teaching, academic discovery, creative pursuits, student success, cultural enrichment and the overall campus community.

• Creativity: Pursuing distinction through inquiry and innovation, challenging convention and focusing on solutions.

• Engagement: Dynamic civic involvement and participation of students, faculty, staff and alumni in the university experience.

• Sustainability: Advancing fiscal responsibility, well-being, innovation, lifelong learning and environmental stewardship.

• Inclusion: Cultivating and championing a campus environment that welcomes diverse backgrounds, ideas, perspectives and practices.

• Servant Leadership: Leading through ethical empowerment and service.

About the Turner College of Business & Technology

We create better futures for our diverse student body by producing a career-ready workforce. Our programs are in business and technology - and where the two meet.

Together, the college offers 11 bachelor’s programs, five master’s programs and two certificate programs. The Synovus Center for Commerce and Technology, located on the Main Campus, houses the three academic units:

• Marketing and Management

• Accounting and Finance

• TSYS School of Computer Science

Accreditation and Recognition

Columbus State University is accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business to award bachelor's and master's degrees in business through the Turner College of Business and Technology. The TSYS School of Computer Science is recognized by the U.S. National Security Agency as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.

Success after Graduation

Columbus State University graduates from the Turner College of Business & Technology achieve job placement in several top industries, including finance, education, information technology, insurance, and healthcare.

The Opportunity

The Dean of the Turner College of Business is the central administrator of the College and reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. The dean provides vision, academic leadership, direction and expert administration, and fosters excellence in teaching, scholarly activity and community engagement and service. The dean positively represents the college and university to all constituents and is active in advancement activities.

Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership in establishing and achieving the CSU’s vision, mission, goals and expected academic program outcomes

• Oversee for administrative functions including but not limited to staffing, budgets and facility management

• Partner with enrollment management and student success leaders to develop, implement and evaluate student recruitment and retention strategies

• Inspire confidence and motivate others for engagement and innovation

• Serve as an advocate and mediator for students, faculty and staff

• Direct problem-solving involving students, faculty, staff and others

• Maintain visibility on campus, among relevant industries and partners, with alumni and donors, and in the community

• Represent the university positively in interactions to build and sustain effective relationships with a broad range of constituents

Faculty and Staff Oversight

• Provide oversight for recruiting, hiring, orientating, motivating and retaining faculty and staff to effectively manage the college’s human capital

• Inspire faculty and staff to work together to build and sustain outstanding academic programs with the capacity for growth

• Facilitate the achievements of faculty expectations related to teaching, scholarly activity, community engagement and service and professional practice

• Facilitate the accomplishments of staff related to student success and professional expectations

• Oversee an effective evaluation system for faculty and staff

General Responsibilities

• Participate in all official CSU functions as determined by the president or provost

• Develop and maintain a systematic evaluation plan for the CSU’s academic programs to ensure congruence with national standards, professional guidelines or expected competencies and to evaluate program outcomes

• Oversee delivery of classes in a manner to achieve cost-effectiveness and meet student and program needs

• Oversee college, department and program procedures related to faculty and student success

• Ensure compliance with regulatory and accrediting bodies for academic programs (currently SACSCOC for the university and AACSB in the college)

• Provide support for national and statewide student recruitment and retention activities

• Attend and participate in professional conferences and meetings on and off campus

• Ensure effective management of financial resources (state funding, Foundation accounts, etc.) including strategic budget planning that aligns financial needs with the university’s mission and vision

• Direct college alumni engagement and fundraising in collaboration with University Advancement

• Interact with alumni and community partners to raise funds for the college and university to enhance the reputation of the CSU

• Remain current on university, college and department policies and procedures and state and federal regulations affecting higher education

Required Qualifications

• A terminal degree in a discipline within the college or closely related field

• Experience administering AACSB-accredited programs

• Three to five years of experience as an academic administrator (e.g., dean, associate dean, department head or director)

• Accomplishments and credentials in teaching, service and scholarly publications sufficient to meet the requirements of the rank of professor at CSU, which includes a minimum of five years of experience in higher education

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of university mission, goals and expectations as well as university and college policies, procedures, rules, etc.

• Understanding of university and college accreditation requirements

• Familiarity with expectations for teaching, scholarly activity, community engagement and service and collegiality

• Organized and attentive to detail

• Effective oral and written communication skills to advocate for the college and university

• Strong active listening, analytical and problem-solving skills

• Ability to work cooperatively with faculty, staff, colleagues at all levels, students and external constituents

• Ability to use diplomacy and discretion when providing information to others

• Experience with or potential to fundraise with alumni and external partners

About Columbus, Georgia

Columbus’ blend of old and new, wild and mild, entertainment and experiences make it a getaway destination. Just 100 miles southwest of Atlanta and minutes from the Alabama state border, Columbus has a strong and diverse economy, with numerous companies and entrepreneurs thriving. The top employer in the region has long been Fort Benning, with about 45,000 military and private employees. Other major companies here include Aflac’s Worldwide Headquarters, Synovus/Pinnacle Financial Partners, FIS (fka TSYS) and Pratt & Whitney. Columbus is a thriving metropolitan statistical area of more than 325,000 in West Georgia and East Alabama. The region benefits from easy access to major metro areas in the Southeast through a network of interstates and four-lane highways. It is also just 90 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Set along the Chattahoochee River on the border with Alabama, Columbus has become a popular spot for outdoor lovers with the longest natural urban whitewater course in the world and a zip line across the river. Nowhere else can you raft or kayak the white waters of the Chattahoochee River, zipline between states, enjoy outdoor recreational facilities — including walking trails, bike riding and cultural events — visit world-class museums, dine at top-flight restaurants, catch Broadway-caliber performances, and then groove to live music late into the night. Sports fans can head to Synovus Park to cheer for the Columbus Clingstones (an MLB AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves), as well as in-town professional hockey and indoor football teams.

Learn more about what makes Columbus, Georgia, a desirable place to live and work at visitcolumbusga.com.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Confidential inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

For fullest consideration, application materials should be received no later than October 23, 2026.

Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae and a letter of application that addresses the priorities outlined in the search profile. Nominations and application materials should be sent electronically via email to Columbus State University's search consultants Martin Baker and Dinah DeWitt at

[email protected].

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Columbus State University is proud to be an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity institution. It is the policy of our institution to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnical origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws.

About Buffkin / Baker

Buffkin / Baker is a partner-led team of executive search professionals recruiting leaders who impact and transform organizations. The firm provides a high touch, tailored search process based on deep expertise, while delivering outstanding outcomes for clients through professional candidate interactions and exceptional search execution. For more information about Buffkin / Baker, visit buffkinbaker.com.