BOZEMAN — Brian Gillespie, associate professor and associate dean of the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Montana State University, has been selected as the new dean of the college. He will begin his new position on Jan. 1, 2024.
The Jabs business college is the third largest college at MSU, with an enrollment of nearly 2,200 students. The business school offers four undergraduate degrees — accounting, finance, management and marketing — and two graduate programs, a master of professional accountancy and a master of science in innovation and management. Gillespie has been with the college since 2022.
“I’m honored to serve Montana State and the Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship in this capacity,” Gillespie said. “I look forward to working with our students, faculty, staff and community partners as we continue our mission to serve as the leader in business education for our state.”
Robert Mokwa, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, described Gillespie as an excellent leader and communicator.
“Brian understands the many challenges and opportunities of leading a premiere business college at a research land-grant university, and he has the intelligence, communication skills and experience leading collaborative, forward-looking team that will position him as a strong leader of the business college,” Mokwa said.
Gillespie was one of two finalists interviewed last week after a national search. The interview process included meetings with faculty, administrators and students. Members of the public were also invited to participate in open forums and submit comments online.
“We had a strong pool of applicants and great finalists who each participated in a full day of interviews that were attended by more than 100 faculty, students and staff members. This is a testament to the vibrancy and sense of community in the business college,” Mokwa said. “The college’s faculty and staff have been key contributors to MSU’s success, and I am confident that under Brian’s leadership, the college will continue on an even stronger trajectory in achieving excellence in teaching, research and outreach.”
Gillespie will replace Dan Miller, who has been interim dean of the business college since 2021.
Since coming to MSU, Gillespie has taught classes, overseen the college’s Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation process, managed faculty resources and orchestrated a faculty-led study abroad program in Germany.
Before MSU, Gillespie was the associate dean for student success at the Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico. He received his undergraduate degree in engineering from Northern Arizona University and his Master of Business Administration from Washington State University, where he also earned a doctorate in marketing.
“With our record enrollment growths, our successful reaccreditation efforts and the launch of our global programs, this is an exciting time for the college and our stakeholders,” Gillespie said. “Jabs has positioned itself as a resource for the broader community and corporate partners. I am excited to continue to develop and grow these relationships as we work to prepare the next generation of students for successful careers in business and entrepreneurship.”
