Waller reappointed to 2nd term as Walton College dean

Matt Waller, dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, has been reappointed for a second five-year term by Charles Robinson, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. Waller’s second term begins July 1.

“I conducted a review process with key stakeholders representing Walton College, garnering feedback that painted a holistic picture of Dean Waller’s portfolio of work as dean,” Robinson said in a statement. “Throughout these conversations, it was abundantly clear that Dean Waller is a respected and transformational leader who holds great passion for his college and university and who has had an indelible and positive impact on Walton College.”

“I am excited to continue the work we have started in my first five years as dean and want to thank Provost Robinson for giving me opportunity to do so,” Waller said. “We are growing our presence in Northwest Arkansas and the rest of the state, creating partnerships and innovative programs that benefit our students and business and industry throughout Arkansas and the region. I am fortunate to have the backing of an outstanding leadership team at the Walton College and the support of the entire Walton College family of students, faculty and staff as we build the future of this great business school together.”

Under Waller’s leadership, the college created the Department of Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Venture Innovation and established specialized master’s degree programs in economic analytics, professional accounting, applied business analytics, supply chain management and finance. During his tenure, the college’s supply chain management undergraduate program for the first time was ranked No. 1 in North America by Gartner, a leading global research firm.

In concert with his fundraising team, Waller helped secure a $10 million endowment creating the William Dillard Department of Accounting, a $1 million gift from Doug and Shelley McMillon to scale the McMillon Innovation Studio, a $7 million gift to create the Supply Chain Policy Initiative and a $2.25 million gift from J.B. Hunt Transport Services to collaborate on diversity and inclusion and sustainability issues, among other gifts.

He also led the creation of the Dean’s Roundtable of Entrepreneurs and Market Makers (DREAM Board) and the Business Integrity Leadership Initiative, in addition to helping establish the Blockchain Center of Excellence within the Department of Information Systems and the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub on the Fayetteville Square.

Robinson also noted Waller’s passion and support of diversity, equity and inclusion causes and his naming of the college’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion after longtime diversity champion Barbara A. Lofton.

“I want to thank the many constituents who took time to speak with me about Dean Waller, including many of you within the college as well as students, alumni, donors and business leaders,” Robinson said. “Their feedback was invaluable in helping me craft an accurate and comprehensive assessment of Dean Waller and his work.”