Matthew Waller has been named interim dean of the University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business, the university announced Friday.
Provost Sharon Gaber appointed Waller to replace Eli Jones, who is leaving to become dean of the Texas A&M Mays Business School, according to a UA news release.
Waller currently holds the Garrison Endowed Chair in Supply Chain Management, and also serves as the college’s first associate dean for executive education and the chairman of the college’s department of supply chain management, the university said.
Waller received a bachelor’s degree in business summa cum laude from the University of Missouri, and a master’s degree and a doctorate degree from Pennsylvania State University. He began teaching at Walton College as a visiting assistant professor in 1994. Waller is co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Business Logistics, an academic journal. His opinion pieces have appeared in Wall Street Journal Asia and Financial Times, and he has been an SEC Academic Leadership Fellow.
Waller’s appointment is for one year but could be extended as the college searches for a new dean, Gaber said.
Ashok Saxena, the next provost, and interim chancellor Dan Ferritor have indicated that a nationwide search will begin this year, UA said.
During his tenure as interim dean, Waller will be assisted by one of the college’s other associate deans, Anne O’Leary-Kelly and Javier Reyes.