Following a nationwide search, Charles M. (Chad) Carson, Ph.D. has been named the seventh dean of Samford University’s Brock School of Business, effective July 1, 2021.
A proven leader on campus and in the community, Carson has served as Brock School of Business’ interim dean since 2019, following Howard Finch’s appointment as Samford’s senior associate provost. Carson joined the Brock School of Business faculty in 2004, and he was appointed associate dean by Finch in 2011.
Samford Provost J. Michael Hardin said, “I’m honored Dr. Chad Carson has accepted the call to serve as the next dean of our Brock School of Business. The resilience he has shown throughout the heat of the pandemic has not only displayed his capability for the job, but it has revealed his heartfelt passion for this business school and our university.”
Brock School of Business has seen tremendous growth over the past decade while providing quality business education grounded in a distinctly Christian worldview. Carson has successfully led the business school through two Continuous Improvement Review visits by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, both resulting in five-year extensions of accreditation.
Innovative curriculum enhancements under Carson’s guidance have included the addition of a data analytics concentration at the graduate and undergraduate level, a sports business concentration within the Master of Business Administration, and the creation of the professional sales program which continues to earn national recognition. He has also championed programs dedicated to preparing graduates for entrepreneurial careers, most notably spearheading the formation of the Samford Startup student business incubator program and enhancing the relationship with Regions Bank to support the Regions New Venture Challenge business plan competition.
Carson has also emphasized recruitment during his administrative tenure, as undergraduate and graduate student enrollment in Brock School of Business has grown 41.4% from fall 2011 to fall 2020. Over the course of the same time period, enrollment grew from 13.6% of Samford’s undergraduate student body to nearly 20% of the population. Significant faculty and staff hires have been made, including a noteworthy change in diversity.
A committed fundraiser for Samford, Carson’s efforts have generated 100% sponsorship of the spaces inside Cooney Hall. Under his leadership, the Data and Sports Analytics Lab was endowed, a Risk Management and Insurance Advisory Board was launched to support a new risk management and insurance program, and new endowed scholarships have been established.
Highly respected in his field, Carson has published more than 50 peer reviewed articles in leading academic journals such as The Journal of Managerial Psychology, Case Research Journal, Educational and Psychological Measurement, Management Decision, and the Journal of Managerial Issues and Human Performance. He also has provided training and consulting services to a wide range of organizations including ServisFirst Bank, Hibbett Sports, AC Inc., HealthSouth (Encompass Health), and Regions Bank.
Prior to entering the academic world, Carson worked as a senior auditor for the State of Mississippi, and a human resources benefits generalist for Mississippi State University.
Hardin thanked the search committee, led by Anna McEwan, dean of Samford’s Orlean Beeson School of Education, for conducting the nationwide search.
“We are grateful that our search brought us many qualified candidates to consider for this important position,” said Hardin. “Dr. Carson’s experience and his desire to further Samford’s mission and values will serve our university and students well as he takes on this role. We look forward to this next chapter of growth and expansion of our Brock School of Business under his leadership.”
A native of Houston, Mississippi, Carson received his Ph.D. in business administration from the University of Mississippi, his Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Professional Accountancy from Mississippi State University.
“I’m blessed and honored to have been charged with this significant role,” said Carson. “With the Lord’s guidance, and with support of the amazing Brock School of Business faculty, staff, alumni and students, I am ready to lead our work in developing the next generation of Christian business leaders.”