Dean Search

Two finalists have been invited to visit campus as part of the search for the next dean of the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration.

Faculty, staff and students of the Nistler College of Business and Public Administration are strongly encouraged to participate in the interview process. The campus and broader community are invited to attend the candidate Open Forums.

Candidate Interviews and Open Forums

Dates and times for candidate interviews and Open Forums are listed below. Each Open Forum will include a 10–15 minute presentation by the candidate, followed by a question-and-answer session with attendees.

All participants will be asked to complete a feedback survey for each finalist. Your perspectives and input are an important part of this search process, and we appreciate your participation.

Felisa Higgins - April 27-29, 2026

Dr. Felisa Preciado Higgins is Associate Vice Provost and Dean of the Honors College at Purdue University, where she also serves as a Clinical Professor in the Mitch Daniels School of Business with a courtesy appointment in Industrial Engineering.

Prior to her current role, Dr. Higgins spent more than 17 years at Penn State, most recently as the William A. Donan Professor of Business Administration and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education in the Smeal College of Business from 2017 to 2024. In that role, she helped lead one of the nation’s largest undergraduate business programs, advancing student success, academic quality, and institutional effectiveness through redesigned academic structures, strengthened recruitment pathways, and collaborative, faculty-centered leadership. Her work contributed to significant growth in first-year applications, improved student outcomes, and the launch of new academic initiatives. She was recognized for excellence in undergraduate education through distinctions including Penn State's George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Smeal College’s Fred Brand Jr. Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, as well as the William A. Donan Endowed Professorship. She also held key university-wide leadership roles, including serving as chair of Penn State’s Administrative Council on Undergraduate Education from 2022 to 2024 and as an Administrative Fellow for the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor from 2016-2017.

Dr. Higgins also brings prior industry experience with Kimberly-Clark Corporation and other multinational firms, applying a systems-oriented approach grounded in both industry practice and academic research to her leadership. Active in the broader academic community, Dr. Higgins serves on the Academic Strategies Committee of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), where she previously served for 3 years as co-chair of the Doctoral Dissertation Award. She is a co-author of a chapter on financing honors education in Honors Education at Public Research Universities (Routledge, 2026), a volume featuring national honors education leaders.

Dr. Higgins earned her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University, an M.S. from Florida State University, and a B.S. from Florida A&M University. Her work focuses on expanding access to educational opportunities and preparing students to lead with confidence in complex, global environments. Born in Panama to Ecuadorian parents, she is married to Patrick Higgins, and together they have six children

Visit Schedule

Raj Mahto - April 29-May 1, 2026

Raj Mahto, PhD, is a visionary academic leader, institution-builder, and champion of entrepreneurial ecosystems serving as Department Chair and Professor in the Department of  Finance and Innovation at the University of New Mexico's Anderson School of Management.

Since assuming leadership of the department, Raj has transformed it into a thriving hub of academic excellence and real-world impact. Under his leadership, departmental enrollment has  surged by over 40%, faculty salaries have been elevated to market levels, and ten talented faculty  members have been recruited — all while fostering a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture  centered on student success and faculty/staff development.

Raj's impact extends well beyond the classroom. He has secured nearly $3 million in philanthropic support, built a dynamic student success ecosystem — including the Lobo Investment Club, Portfolio Challenge, and Program Advisory Boards — and strategically aligned  the curriculum with evolving market demands.

A nationally recognized scholar on entrepreneurship and family business, Raj founded the Parker  Center for Family Business and elevated the UNM Small Business Institute into one of the  largest in the country, generating more than $14 million in annual economic impact for the  region.

With over 75 peer-reviewed publications and more than 6,000 scholarly citations, Raj is a respected voice in his field. He serves on the editorial boards of leading journals and recently  completed his term as President of the Small Business Institute national organization.

At the heart of everything Raj does is a deep, unwavering commitment to his students, colleagues, and community.

Visit Schedule

About the Position

Reporting to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean of the Nistler College of Business and Public Adminstration serves as the leader of a dynamic and thriving academic unit. This role is responsible for advancing the College’s strategic priorities while aligning its vision and initiatives with UND’s broader strategic plan, UND LEADS.

In close partnership with the Provost, the Dean provides leadership for academic and operational planning, budgeting, and policy implementation, while also serving as a key ambassador for the College through fundraising and government engagement. Working collaboratively with faculty and staff, the Dean supports excellence in teaching and scholarship, guides academic program development and review, and fosters a culture that prioritizes student success and continuous improvement.

The anticipated starting date of the new Dean will be July 1, 2026, or as soon as reasonable thereafter.

Position Profile

Search Committee and Timeline

The search committee for the dean of the Nistler College of Business and Public Administration is chaired by Robert Kraus, dean of the John. D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences with assistance from Academic Search, a prominent executive search firm that specializes in higher education placements. 

Committee & Timeline