UW Taps North Dakota State Dean to Lead College of Business

Scott Beaulier, an economist who has led North Dakota State University’s College of Business since 2016, has been appointed as dean of the University of Wyoming’s College of Business.

UW’s Board of Trustees approved Beaulier’s appointment Thursday, ending a nationwide search that included the appearance of five finalists last month for on-campus interviews and presentations. He’s scheduled to begin his new role at UW around July 15.

“Dr. Beaulier’s record of success leading a business school at a fellow land-grant university in this region, as well as his substantial leadership experience, made him an ideal candidate for this important deanship at the University of Wyoming,” Provost and Executive Vice President Kevin Carman says. “We’re excited for what the future holds for our College of Business with Scott at the helm.”

During Beaulier’s tenure at North Dakota State, its College of Business significantly increased enrollment; increased its six-year graduation rate; launched a fully online business administration degree; raised over $50 million in private funding; and established programs for entrepreneurs and female business students.

Before going to North Dakota State, Beaulier served as executive director of and helped launch Arizona State University’s Center for the Study of Economic Liberty, which ultimately became part of the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership. Before that, as a member of the faculty at Troy University in Troy, Ala., from 2010-14, he chaired that school’s Division of Economics and Finance and was executive director of the Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy.

“I’m excited to be joining a great College of Business and university. I love the University of Wyoming’s commitment to academic excellence, the pride alumni have in their alma mater and the state’s rich history of working with the university to solve problems,” Beaulier says. “These combined strengths create tremendous potential for the College of Business to partner with the business community and play a leadership role in the state and across the nation. I can’t wait to get started.”

Beaulier holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in economics from George Mason University and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and history from Northern Michigan University. He also has served as a faculty member at Beloit College (Wis.) and Mercer University in Macon, Ga.