Global Business Expert to Serve as Robinson College of Business Dean

May 24, 2004 ATLANTA - Georgia State University administrators have named H. Fenwick Huss, associate dean of the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, to the position of dean effective July 1. "Fenwick Huss' appointment follows an extensive national search for the very best person to lead the J. Mack Robinson College of Business," said Ron Henry, Georgia State provost and vice president for academic affairs. "In his various positions, Fenwick has provided intellectual leadership and strong administrative values, and is widely regarded for his university citizenship. His appointment ensures a continuity of leadership and programs that will help maintain the college's position as one of the nation's best."

As associate dean for the past six years, Huss has been a prime mover in developing the college's curriculum, hiring top-notch faculty and helping raise the profile and ranking of Georgia State's undergraduate business program to the highest level in its history. Through his efforts, the college has received more than $10 million in grants that have paved the way for its administrators, faculty and students to establish and participate in business-education programs in countries around the world.

"The Robinson College has the momentum to become one of the leading business schools in the world," said Huss. "Building on the foundation established by outgoing dean Sid Harris, I plan to keep the college focused while developing new resources to recruit and retain outstanding faculty and staff, building new partnerships nationally and internationally to respond to the changes in business education, and sustaining and strengthening the distinctive and diverse culture that is the Robinson College of Business."

While the college's part-time MBA program is consistently ranked among the best in the nation, Huss noted there are still some challenges ahead.

"The marketplace is increasingly competitive," said Huss. "In order to maintain our leadership position, we must clearly define our objectives and set goals that will enable us to not only define but to reach the next level."

Huss joined the college in 1989 as associate professor in the School of Accountancy and was named the school's director in 1996. In addition to his teaching and administrative responsibilities, Huss is active in international development and has helped universities in Russia, Ukraine and sub-Saharan Africa to restructure their business programs. He has lectured extensively in the People's Republic of China on business-information needs in transitional economies, and serves as director for several projects in South Africa, Ghana and Egypt funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Huss earned a bachelor of arts in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1972, a master's degree in economics from the University of Connecticut in 1975 and a doctorate in accounting from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1982.

Huss will succeed dean Sidney E. Harris, who announced last fall that he plans to step down in June after having served in the position for seven years. Harris plans to remain a member of the college's faculty, teaching and conducting research in the areas of international trade, productivity and technology, international corporate governance, and leadership. He also plans to conduct country and regional studies focused on Asia and Africa.

The J. Mack Robinson College of Business is one of the top-ranked business schools. The College's Flex (part-time) MBA program has been listed in the top ten by U.S. News for the past nine years and its undergraduate business program is ranked among the top 40 in the nation (top 25 among public universities). The College's Executive MBA program is listed on The Financial Times list of the world's top ranked offerings and BusinessWeek magazine ranks it 24th in the world. Georgia State University's Robinson College of Business has an enrollment of more than 8000 students and is located in downtown Atlanta.

 

For more information, contact: Tammy DeMel Robinson College of Business  404/413-7078 (voice) 404/702-9743