Dr. Lisa Jepsen named dean of UW-Eau Claire’s College of Business

Dr. Lisa Jepsen, who has 23 years of experience as a faculty member and administrator at the University of Northern Iowa, has been named the new dean of the College of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Jepsen, who was associate dean in UNI’s College of Business from August 2015 through July 2020, will join UW-Eau Claire on Feb. 1, 2024. She is presently the Robert James Waller professor of economics and an administrative fellow in the university’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

Jepsen will replace Dr. Brewer Doran, who is retiring on March 1, 2024.

“I am pleased that Dr. Lisa Jepsen will be bringing her collaborative and inclusive leadership style to the College of Business,” says Dr. Patricia Kleine, UW-Eau Claire’s provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Dr. Jepsen has an extensive background as both an administrator and faculty member, leading strategic initiatives, helping create new degree plans and nurturing relationships beyond campus while maintaining focus on student success. Her experience will help her guide our outstanding business programs into the future.”

UW-Eau Claire’s College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business with about 2,750 undergraduate students in the bachelor of business administration program. UW-Eau Claire is the managing campus of the UW MBA Consortium.

Jepsen says she enjoyed meeting students, staff, faculty and administrators while visiting UW-Eau Claire, calling the energy on campus “inspiring.” Jepsen looks forward to continuing collaborations with various groups at the university.

“The college leadership team has built a strong foundation, and faculty and staff go the extra mile for students,” Jepsen says. “UW-Eau Claire excels at providing practical knowledge to prepare students to work in businesses and other organizations, offering many opportunities for student engagement both in and out of the classroom.”

At UNI Jepsen served as MBA director, associate dean and NCAA faculty athletics representative. Prior to her time at UNI, she taught at Vanderbilt University, Rockhurst University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She worked as a forensic economist for John O. Ward & Associates in Kansas City.

Jepsen received a bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College, a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University, all in economics.

Among Jepsen’s awards and honors are the 2023 UNI Regents Award for Faculty Excellence, the 2021 College of Business Above and Beyond Award and the 2014 National Academic Advising Association Outstanding Advising Award in the faculty academic advising category.