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MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — This academic year is the last one for Kathy Dunning as dean of the Grace Pilot School of Business at the University of Mobile, according to school officials.
Kathy Dunning, dean of the Grace Pilot School of Business at the University of Mobile, has announced she is retiring at the end of the academic year. (Photo courtesy of the University of Mobile)
The University announced Thursday Dunning would retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, “marking a season of dedicated leadership and growth for the school,” according to a University of Mobile news release.
“Dr. Dunning’s investment in our students and leadership has strengthened the impact of the Grace Pilot School of Business and positioned it for continued growth. We are profoundly grateful for her faithful leadership and the legacy she leaves at the University of Mobile,” UM President Charles Smith said.
Dunning joined the college in 1994 as an accounting instructor, moving up to dean in 2019.
“My years of teaching at UM have been a central part of my life. The opportunity to know and interact with so many amazing students who have developed into enterprise leaders, as well as work with extremely talented colleagues, has been a true joy and a privilege,” she said.
The school is now faced with the task of finding a new dean, and has launched a nation-wide search.
Provost Jason Lee said the school is looking for someone to “focus on connecting to business leaders throughout the Mobile area and the Gulf Coast to ensure UM’s programs provide the latest and most effective training for the current business climate,” according to the release.
The new dean will lead the faculty at UM to provide programs in accounting, administration, finance, economics, marketing, management, computer information systems and cybersecurity,” according to the release.
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Those interested in the position can find out more and apply on the University of Mobile website.
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