Kathryn Birkeland has been named the Ronald G. and Kaye S. Olson Dean of the North Dakota State University College of Business. Birkeland’s most recent position was as the University of South Dakota Beacom School of Business associate dean.
“I am excited to work with the excellent faculty, dedicated staff, and innovative business leaders who make up the NDSU College of Business family,” Birkeland said.
She earned her doctorate in economics from Arizona State University in 2007. She has been at USD since 2011 and was at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse prior to that. Prior to becoming the associate dean for the Beacom School of Business, Birkeland was the division chair and graduate program coordinator.
Throughout her faculty career, service has been a priority, encompassing curriculum, assessment, hiring and promotion. She has been integral in the school’s AACSB accreditation efforts and the university's strategic plan development and implementation. As associate dean, Birkeland guided curriculum change in the MBA and MAcc programs, increased curriculum coordination with other campus departments, restructured recruiting efforts and increased resources allocated to academic advising and marketing. Under her leadership, the school has seen an increase in brand awareness, graduate enrollment, and undergraduate retention and persistence rates.
In the community, she served as the president of United Way of Vermillion and has been on the board of directors for eight years. The organization has expanded in fundraising, personnel and outreach during her time on the executive team, including the purchase and renovation of a downtown building for the Community Connection Center which now houses multiple agencies serving Vermillion.
“I am thankful for the support of Ronald and Kaye Olson, which will enable us to recruit and retain high-quality students, connect them to entrepreneurs and executives and send them out to be North Dakota’s future business leaders,” Birkeland said.
Birkeland grew up in South Dakota and earned her BSBA in economics from USD in 2001.
