Mark Bannister has been named interim dean of the College of Business and Economics, effective Aug. 1.
Bannister currently serves as dean of the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Fort Hays State University (FHSU), where he has led a rapidly growing college.
“Mark’s strong vision and leadership style make him an outstanding choice for the college at this time. He brings a wealth of experience from Fort Hays State, and I know that he’ll respond very well to the many exciting initiatives in COBE. It’s a great fit,” said Interim Provost Tony Roark.
“We wish outgoing Dean Ken Petersen the very best in his new role as the Helen Robson Walton Endowed Chair in Marketing Strategy and Professor of Marketing and Supply Chain Management at the University of Oklahoma.”
The search for a permanent Dean of COBE will commence in the 2019-20 academic year with guidance from the incoming university president.
Bannister was a finalist for the COBE dean position four years ago. Based on his experience and his familiarity with Boise State’s programs, the university initiated discussions with him in May. Bannister visited Boise twice in June to meet with COBE leadership, faculty and staff.
“I am very pleased and excited to join an outstanding group of faculty, staff, alumni and other supporters who are dedicated to providing students with a high quality education. I am also impressed with the research, thought leadership and service of the faculty,” Bannister said. “Boise State’s growth and innovation are important factors in drawing me to the college and university. I look forward to building on an outstanding base and working together to continue to build a truly notable college of business.”
The Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship has significant traditional on-campus instruction, domestic distance-learning programs and on-the-ground international programs in China.
Bannister has received Fort Hays State University’s Pilot Award, its highest teaching honor, and has been recognized repeatedly for his teaching by FHSU student groups. He initiated the “Entrepreneur Direct” speaker series that has brought a series of entrepreneurs to campus to present and to interact with faculty and students, and also has worked with the FHSU Foundation to increase private giving to the college and its departments.
He is a Senior Policy Fellow of the Docking Institute of Public Affairs and a principal in Bannister Capital. He teaches course work on legal issues and management of information technologies, as well as supervises and participates in research and programming on entrepreneurship, telecommunications, strategic planning and community development.
Bannister holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas as well as a Master of Science in Communications Studies.