University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) seeks an experienced and innovative leader to serve as the next dean of the Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship (RCVCOBE).

On August 31, 2015, UTRGV opened its doors as one of the first major public universities of the 21st century and one of the largest Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the nation. UTRGV is a multi-campus institution with campuses and off-campus research and teaching sites throughout Rio Grande Valley, including in Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville, Edinburg, Harlingen, McAllen, Port Isabel, Rio Grande City, and South Padre Island. The university educates more than 30,000 students.

The Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship was named in 2016 in honor of businessman Robert C. Vackar‘s $15 million gift to the college. The mission of the college is to serve as a catalyst for innovation, knowledge discovery, and economic development in South Texas, Northern Mexico, and beyond. The RCVCOBE is accredited by AACSB International, has an enrollment of over 4,000 students, and offers bachelor’s degrees in the following disciplines: Accountancy (BBA), Economics (BA & BBA), Entrepreneurship and Innovation (BBA), Finance (BBA), Hospitality and Tourism Management (BS), Information Systems (BBA), International Business (BBA), Management (BBA), Marketing (BBA), and Materials Management and Logistics (BS). It offers master’s degrees in Business Administration (MBA), Accountancy (MAcc), Business Analytics (MSBA), and Human Resources Management (launching spring 2024) and a Ph.D. in Business Administration with concentrations in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, Management, and Marketing. In addition, the Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship houses three centers: the Business and Tourism Research Center, the Center for Border Economic Studies, and the Center for Innovation and Commercialization.

Reporting to the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, the dean is the chief academic and administrative leader for the RCVCOBE. The next dean will be expected to advance a strategic vision for the future of the college; facilitate growth in research and scholarship; recruit, develop, and retain talented faculty and staff; support a culture of student success; manage and generate new resources for the college; and further integrate the college and community.

The next dean of the RCVCOBE must be an experienced and innovative leader who appreciates the bilingual, binational, and bicultural nature of the university and has a demonstrated ability to lead efforts devoted to student success. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited institution and have a record of scholarship, teaching, and service that qualifies for a senior faculty appointment in one of the college’s disciplines. Prior responsibility for budgets, personnel decisions, performance reviews, and decisions for promotion and tenure – ideally at the chair level or above – is also preferred.

Applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest the themes in the leadership profile. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by February 16, 2024.

WittKieffer is assisting The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in this search. Application materials should be submitted to WittKieffer’s candidate portal using the buttons below. Confidential nominations and inquiries can be directed to the university’s consultants, Robin Mamlet, Christine J. Pendleton, and Natalie Song at UTRGV-Dean@wittkieffer.com.

It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or preferred veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title IX of the civil rights act of 1964, the title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, the university is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment.