Karen Kennedy, Ph.D.Karen Kennedy, Ph.D., has been named interim dean of the Collat School of Business.
Kennedy, currently senior associate dean and professor of marketing for the Collat School of Business, will succeed Dean Christopher L. Shook, Ph.D., who has announced that he will step down as dean following spring commencement.
“Dean Shook leaves an incredible legacy. He has made a tremendous and lasting impact. While we will miss his leadership, we all support his decision to focus on his family and his health and wish him the very best,” Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Janet Woodruff-Borden, Ph.D., said. “During this time of transition, strong leadership will be critical as we continue the successes of the Collat School of Business and the momentum Dean Shook and colleagues have established.”
Woodruff-Borden held a town hall meeting for Collat faculty and staff March 26 to field questions and provide context and timelines related to the search for the next dean. Kennedy will collaborate closely with Collat Associate Dean John Hansen, Ph.D., to carry forward Shook’s vision, leveraging the strength, experience and insight of the Collat team.
“Dr. Hansen and I look forward to continuing the progress that’s been made as we go through this transition. We want to build upon our accomplishments and the important initiatives and good work that Dean Shook brought to the Collat School of Business,” Kennedy said.
The search will commence in April with a target start date for the new dean of Jan. 1, 2027.