Long-time administrator and faculty member Dr. David Meinert will soon lead Missouri State University’s College of Business.

Meinert, associate dean of the college since 2008, will begin as interim dean on Jan. 1. He succeeds Dr. Stephanie Bryant, who announced in August that she’s leaving Missouri State.

“The College of Business has grown immensely in the last few years,” said Meinert. “Dean Bryant was a tremendous catalyst for advancing the college.  I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as interim dean and maintain the momentum achieved under her leadership.”

New and renovated facilities help transform the college

This announcement comes just a week before the re-opening of David D. Glass Hall and dedication of the Robert Gourley Student Success Center. The public ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Oct. 26 in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Grand Atrium.

“It is an exciting time for the college,” said Meinert. “We will leverage our new facilities to strengthen our innovative programs and expand experiential learning opportunities. I look forward to working with our exceptional faculty to prepare the next generation of business leaders.”

Record of service, teaching

In addition to serving as associate dean, Meinert has been the director of the Executive Master of Business Administration program since 2008 and director of the Executive Master of Health Administration program since 2012.

Meinert started working at Missouri State in 1990 as assistant professor of computer information systems. He has a doctorate in management information systems from the University of Mississippi and an MBA and bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University.

“David has a strong record of service to Missouri State and to the profession,” said Provost Frank Einhellig. “He’s a great choice to lead the college over the next year and a half.”

Meinert will serve as interim dean for 18 months. Beginning in the fall of 2018, the university will conduct a national search for a permanent dean.