It’s official: Dornbush named dean of UW-Green Bay’s Austin E. Cofrin School of Business

Matt Dornbush

Mathew Dornbush

After a nationwide search, it’s one of UW-Green Bay’s own that rises to the top. Provost Greg Davis announced today that Mathew Dornbush, most recently interim dean, has been named the permanent dean for UW-Green Bay’s Austin E. Cofrin School of Business.

“Matt’s incredible contributions as an interim dean, following on a strong foundation in his current role as associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and director of graduate studies, are impressive and set the stage for a successful tenure in leading our business school,” Davis shared.

“Matt has a record of mission-focused, forward-looking leadership at every position he’s held at UW-Green Bay, including the interim dean position in the Austin E Cofrin School of Business,” said Chancellor Gary L. Miller. “As a distinguished biologist, he is a unique fit for this position, but he has proven to be capable in creating collaborations all over the University with the School of Business. The University and the region’s business community are set up for long-term success with Dean Matt Dornbush!”

Dornbush was named interim dean in August 14, 2018, after the retirement of Douglas Hensler. Prior to that role, he served as associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and director of Graduate Studies since 2015. A member of the faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, the biologist is also an active scholar and researcher. He was especially effective in his role reinvigorating and leading Graduate Studies. Four years ago, the campus was on the verge of losing its Carnegie classification as a master’s degree-granting institution because of low enrollment. This year UW-Green Bay will approach 200 master’s degree graduates and the University will be classified as a “large” master’s degree-granting institution.

Dornbush received his B.A. from Augustana College (Rock Island, Ill.), and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Iowa State University (Ames, Iowa) before joining UW-Green Bay in 2005. Dornbush brings a strong record of scholarly production, with more than $1 million dollars in external grant awards, numerous publications and more than 670 citations to his scholarly writings. In his role as associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and director of graduate studies, he had responsibility for budgeting, extramural granting, faculty professional development and graduate programing. He has had significant community engagement responsibilities throughout his time as associate vice chancellor.

The dean of the Austin E. Cofrin School of Business provides academic and administrative leadership for and oversight over all School of Business programs. The Austin E. Cofrin School of Business is a community of teachers, scholars and learners dedicated to advancing the economic prosperity and entrepreneurial spirit of northeastern Wisconsin through partnership, impactful research, and quality educational programing. Dornbush is expected to lead the Austin E. Cofrin School of Business through the AACSB accreditation process. The School is expected to grow significantly as its academic programs and scholarship align with key economic and business sectors of Northeast Wisconsin. The dean will develop a vigorous program of external networking with business including establishing partnerships to connect the Cofrin School of Business to the local and regional economy.

A public announcement and news release will follow next week.

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