Waller Has Interim Tag Removed, Named Dean of UAs Walton College

The University of Arkansas announced Tuesday that it was removing the “interim” tag from Matthew Waller’s title, naming him the dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

The move is official on May 1. Waller, who has worked for the Walton College for more than 20 years, was named the interim dean one year ago after the departure of Eli Jones, who left the UA to become dean of the Texas A&M Mays Business School.

In addition to his position as dean, Waller, 51, will hold the Sam M. Walton Leadership Chair in Business in addition to his position as dean.

“Matt Waller has been making important contributions to Walton College from the time he arrived on campus,” University of Arkansas Provost Ashok Saxena said in a university news release. “He has the experience, reputation, administrative skill and respect of his colleagues that are needed to lead Walton College moving forward.”  

Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz praised Waller for his dedication to business and education in Arkansas.

“I have been very impressed with Matt Waller, as a person and as an administrator,” Steinmetz said. “Walton College is a vitally important part of the University of Arkansas mission to our students and to our state. I am confident that we have found the best person for this important position.”

Waller, a member of the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 class in 2000, first came to the University of Arkansas as a visiting assistant professor in 1994. He became a full professor in August 2007 and has held many positions in the Walton College including director of its Executive M.B.A.-China program in 2008-2009.

He became chair of the Department of Supply Chain Management when it was established in July 2011 and served as interim associate dean for executive education before taking over as interim dean last year. Waller also held the Garrison Endowed Chair in Supply Chain Management.

“I am excited to become the next dean of the Walton College,” Waller said. “The direction of the college is strong. We have outstanding programs in place and with the support of the students, faculty and staff, we are going to build on that momentum to strengthen our position as one of the nation’s leading business schools. We also have a great responsibility as a business leader in the state to continue the strong relationship we have with the vibrant business community in Arkansas.”