Welcoming a New Dean

I am a first-generation college student and know first-hand the impact that great professors had on my life,” said incoming College of Business dean, Shane Hunt, Ph.D. For Hunt, student centered faculty and staff is a quality that really stood out to him during his visit to campus. “I think the Idaho State University College of Business is one of the most impressive places I have ever visited. When I [spoke with students], they each told me that their favorite part about [the College] was the incredible professors who genuinely cared about them and prepared them for success.” Hunt attained his Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma and his Ph.D. in marketing from Oklahoma State University. “My eight years working in the private sector for a Fortune 500 company and a small business as a pricing analyst, product manager and business development manager reinforced the fact that what I learned from my best professors in the classroom helped me be more successful in my job.” As a leader in higher education and a professor, Hunt said he has strived to provide a similar impact on each of his students over the past 12 years he has spent in academia.

In assuming the position of College of Business dean this June, Hunt has great enthusiasm in continuing this legacy in the College and building upon the impact the College has had on students. Hunt said he has two overarching goals as he takes on his new role, beginning with reducing the cost of an education for business students. “Through fundraising [I would like to]dramatically increase the number of endowed scholarships that benefit our students,” said Hunt who was able to more than double the number of privately funded scholarships during his three years as dean at the Arkansas State University (ASU) College of Business. “I saw first-hand the positive impact that had in [students’] ability to succeed and graduate.” Hunt’s second goal revolves around growing the transformational opportunities the College has to offer by “increasing the return on investment for every student that is part of the Idaho State College of Business.” Hunt said this can be accomplished in a number of ways, including “raising funds to increase the number of endowed chairs and professorships so that we can always recruit and retain the best faculty in the classroom.” He also included the development of centers of excellence that match programs, faculty research interests and job areas in high demand. He would also like to increase internship offerings, mentorships and Professional Development programs that employ community partnerships “to help build confident, talented business leaders for the next generation.” As a former dean, Hunt has already successfully implemented many of these initiatives during his tenure at ASU’s College of Business. In addition to increasing scholarships, Hunt tripled the number of endowed professorships for business faculty and launched the A State Women’s Business Leadership Center, as well as securing the four largest scholarship gifts in the history of ASU’s College of Business. Hunt is confident he can bring the same value to Idaho State, “With the incredible team we have in place here in the Idaho State College of Business, I think we can do all of this and much, much more in the years ahead.”

On top of increasing benefits to students, Hunt would like to focus attention on building relationships and visiting with College alumni and supporters. “[I want to] make sure we are preparing our students with the skills, knowledge and abilities to be successful as they enter the job market, build careers, become entrepreneurs and ultimately outstanding ethical leaders in the Idaho business community and for organizations throughout the world.” Although Hunt’s term won’t officially begin full-time until the end of the spring semester, allowing his son to finish out his last high school semester in Arkansas, Hunt plans to make several campus visits to attend meetings, participate in the University budgeting process and attend student recruitment events. In the fall, he plans to begin teaching a marketing course and continue that practice each semester. “I love to teach and help students; I think it is important that our College never loses sight of our most important mission which is to provide a great education to our students.”

Outside of his career, Hunt is a true family man. Married for 20 years, Hunt and his wife Jenifer have two children, Andrew (17) and Sarah (12). “When Andrew was little, we developed a shared love of baseball. I thought it would be an incredible experience if he and I set a goal to see games at all 30 Major League Baseball Stadiums before he graduated high school.” Starting their pursuit in 2008 when Andrew was just six years old, the father and son duo accomplished their goal nine years later. “We loved the experience as sports fans, but more importantly I loved the time he and I spent together and the memories it created for us.” Wanting to share a similar experience with his daughter, Hunt and Sarah were inspired by a visit to Yellowstone National Park and so established the even loftier goal of visiting all 62 National Parks before she graduates in 2025. So far, they have marked 40 off of their list. “These have been some of our most cherished adventures as a family.” Overall, Hunt and his family are excited to join the College. “We are thrilled to become part of the Pocatello community and all of the great things happening throughout the region. It is incredibly clear that our best days as a University, College of Business and community are ahead of us and I am thrilled to get to be part of it as dean. I am so excited to share our College of Business story and help students from all backgrounds achieve their professional dreams.”