UNA business professor and current director of the College of Business’ MBA program Greg Carnes accepted the position as dean of the College of Business March 11.

“The search committee felt that Dr. Carnes was the strongest candidate of the applicant pool, and, having had experience at UNA, having had experience as a dean and having had experience with a large university that has a mission similar to ours, he is a great fit,” said John Thornell, vice president and provost of academic affairs.

After receiving a letter from the current College of Business Dean Kerry Gatlin, the search committee convened in November. The committee included faculty from each of the departments within the College of Business along with a staff member of the College of Business, a faculty member from the general university and Chief Diversity Officer Thomas Calhoun.

The search committee favored Carnes throughout the application and interviewing process. Thornell and UNA President Bill Cale anticipated that he would accept the position.

“I am very honored to have been selected to serve the College of Business, and I really appreciate the confidence the service committee has placed in me,” Carnes said.

As dean, Carnes will deal with the undergraduate and graduate programs that are offered through the College of Business and administer those four departments in concurrence with the chairs. He will also overlook the MBA program currently in China.

“He also will be responsible for making sure that we are continually changing the College of Business so that it serves the needs of the students,” Thornell said.

Carnes said he plans to focus on building the relationship between students, faculty and alumni of the College of Business.

“(They) need to know the dean is there to support them,” he said. “The main reason we’re here is for the students.”

Carnes attributed the strong faculty and staff to Gatlin, who served as dean for nearly 12 years. He said the college has significantly expanded at the curricular level during Gatlin’s time.

“It’s a great foundation,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can to help place (the students) in the professional world.”

Thornell echoed his ideas and said students need to have the proper skills so they could easily transition into the work force upon their graduation.

Gatlin will finish out his year as dean and formally step down in the summer. He will continue to serve as a faculty member within the College of Business.

Carnes will step up and officially accept the title of dean of the College of Business July 1.