UA removes interim tag, taps Brent Williams to lead Walton College

Brent Williams, interim dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas since August 2023, has been appointed to the position full-time.

UA officials made the announcement Friday (Jan. 12) in a news release. The appointment is effective Feb. 1.

“As interim dean and through other leadership roles within the university, Dr. Williams has demonstrated and proven he is the right person to serve the college and our business community in this role,” Provost Terry Martin said in the release. “He is committed to student success, research and innovation, which are paramount to our land-grant mission, and I look forward to seeing the Walton College continue to grow and excel as one of the nation’s leading business schools under Dr. Williams’ exceptional leadership.”

Williams has worked in various roles at Walton College since coming to Fayetteville in 2011. As interim dean, he replaced Matt Waller, Walton College dean from 2015 to 2023.

The search for the next Walton College dean began this past September, chaired by Ann Bordelon, executive vice chancellor for finance and administration. Russell Reynolds Associates, an external search firm, assisted Bordelon and the search committee.

“I’m grateful to Provost Martin for the trust he has placed in me to lead Walton College,” Williams said. “I’d also like to thank Ann Bordelon and the search committee for their endorsement and recommendation. I’m honored to serve as dean and look forward to working with our faculty, staff, students, alumni and so many others to grow the impact of the Walton College and University of Arkansas.”

According to UA figures, Walton College enrollment this past fall — including undergraduate (8,267) and graduate students (585) — totaled 8,852. That’s up 7.5% from 8,232 students enrolled in the business school in the fall 2022 semester.

Walton College is the largest college on the UA campus, just ahead of Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences (8,639).