The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has named two finalists for the next dean of the College of Business.

They are Kathy Farrell, interim dean of the college and professor of finance at Nebraska; and Gerry Sanders, dean and professor of strategic management at the University of Texas San Antonio.

Each finalist will each spend time with the college’s leadership team, faculty, staff and students, and also will meet with university leadership. Alumni, college partners and the university community are invited to public presentations by and receptions for each candidate and are encouraged to provide their feedback regarding both Farrell and Sanders. Farrell’s visit will be Nov. 15-17, with a public presentation and reception at 3 p.m. Nov. 17. Sanders’ visit will be Nov. 19-21, with a public presentation and reception Nov. 21. Both presentations will be in Hawks Hall Room 32.

Farrell has been a member of the faculty of the College of Business since 1993. Her teaching focus is on corporate finance and banking at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Her primary research interests include executive compensation, executive turnover and succession, and other corporate governance issues.

She became the college’s associate dean in 2010, with responsibilities including undergraduate programs and faculty affairs. She oversaw the development and implementation of new programs, including the business minor for non-business students and the establishment of a hybrid career services model. She was chair of the Department of Finance from 2014 until assuming the role of interim dean this past January.

Farrell earned her doctorate in finance from the University of Georgia and her bachelor of business administration in accounting and finance from Kent State University.

Sanders was appointed Dean of the College of Business and chair at University of Texas at San Antonio in 2013. He has led USTA’s college through the strategic management process using faculty and stakeholders to conduct an organizational assessment, market analysis and opportunity identification. This process led to a reorientation of the college’s strategy, the first college marketing campaign, restructuring of undergraduate and graduate programs in business, and the launch of two new graduate programs. He has also led the college through a reaffirmation of accreditation.

Sanders’ research is focused on corporate governance and executive leadership. He was professor of strategic management and area leader of the Strategy and Environment faculty group in the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University from 2008 to 2013. He began his academic career at Brigham Young University in 1996. He was department chair during his last four years at BYU. Sanders earned his doctorate in management from the University of Texas at Austin.

A 16-member committee of faculty, staff, administrators and college stakeholders led the search. Richard Moberly, dean of Nebraska’s College of Law, chaired the committee.

The dean will join the university at a pivotal moment in the institution’s history and in the college’s trajectory. Nebraska Business has experienced unprecedented enrollment growth since 2010. In the past seven years, 90 new faculty and 40 new staff have joined the college. Signature programs such as a Business Honors Academy and the world’s largest strengths lab in the Clifton Strengths Institute were created. The dean will have the opportunity to define and implement a strategic vision of an energetic faculty, staff and student population.

The dean reports directly to the executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer. Learn more about the search.