An African-American Finalist in the Search for a New Dean at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Business

The business school at the University of Alabama Birmingham has announced three finalists, one of whom will be named dean. Eli Jones, professor of marketing and associate dean for executive education at the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, is one of the three candidates. If selected, Professor Jones would be the first African American to be named dean of the business school at the University of Alabama Birmingham.

Dr. Jones has been on the faculty at the University of Houston for the past decade. Previously he attained experience in corporate sales for companies including Quaker Oats, Nabisco, and Frito-Lay. Professor Jones holds a bachelor’s degree, an MBA, and a Ph.D., all from Texas A&M University.

The other finalists are Frank Messina, chair of the department of accounting and information systems at the University of Alabama Birmingham, and David R. Klock, dean of the business school at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. A decision on the new dean is expected in January.

Copyright © 2007. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.