First female chosen as business dean

The College of Business at the University of Southern Mississippi is getting a new dean, and the one chosen is a first in the college’s history. Dr. Faye Gilbert has been chosen to head the college, serving as the first female dean in the College of Business.

Gilbert graduated from Southern Miss, earning undergraduate and master’s degrees in business administration. She currently serves as the dean of the College of Business and Economics at Radford University. The search for a new dean began late last year following Lance Neil’s departure from the university, who left to begin a position at Texas Tech University last August.

Similar to the presidential search committee that chose Dr. Rodney Bennett as USM’s next president, a committee was formed to find the new dean, which consisted of faculty, staff and students, along with members of the College’s Business Advisory Council. Four finalists were brought to campus in January and February. Pending approval by the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, Gilbert’s official start date will be effective July 1.

A native of Ocean Springs, Miss., Gilbert earned her undergraduate degree in 1982 from Southern Miss, followed by her master’s degree in business administration in 1983. In 1988, she graduated from North Texas University, where she received her doctorate. She also served as Georgia College and State University’s business school dean before serving at Radford.

Dean of the Honors College Dave Davies served as search committee chair, and he told the Mississippi Business Journal said Gilbert was the clear choice to serve as the next dean.

“Dr. Gilbert has the energy, drive, and experience to lead our excellent College of Business to the next level,” Davies said. “She has the ability to relate to faculty, students, and the business community. She will bring a tremendous energy, enthusiasm, and drive to work with the faculty to build on the College’s many successes.”

Gilbert joins the College of Business at an exciting phase in the college’s history. Construction on Scianna Hall, which will serve as the new business building, began last July, and completion is expected in Spring 2014. The building is estimated to cost around $30 million.