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New dean believes COBA is ready for the next step

By Sue Putnam

“I think we’re ready to move to the next level,” says Greg Mosier, new dean of the College of Business Administration, when asked about his impressions of the college. “What we do with our programs, outreach and the extra-curriculum will be important steps.”

The former Regents Service Professor and Puterbaugh Professor of Ethics and Legal Studies in Business at Oklahoma State University is a native of that state, born in Fort Sill at about the same time COBA was founded. Mosier previously served as interim dean of the Spears School of Business and as associate dean at OSU.

He takes over from interim dean Dana Edberg, who filled the role since August 2006 when previous dean Mike Reed was named vice chancellor of finance and administration for the Nevada System of Higher Education.  Reed’s service to the college spanned 34 years as a faculty member, the economics department chair, and as dean for 14 years. 

“Greg brings a strong record of leadership and demonstrates a particularly strong understanding of how the College of Business relates to the regional business community and the community at-large,” said University President Milton Glick. “We had a very strong pool of candidates, and every group of constituents who interviewed them concurred that Greg stood out.” 

The new dean also has quite a history of achievements. He received the OSU Regents Distinguished Teaching Award in 2003 and was named Professor of the Year in 2003 by the MBA Student Association. He was recognized as the Outstanding MBA Faculty member for 1999, served as Regents Service Professor from 1997 to 2001, and was coordinator of the College Scholar Leader Program. In 2006 he was named to an endowed professor position in the Spears School of Business.

Mosier holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary biology education from Oklahoma State, a juris doctorate from the University of Kansas and a doctorate in higher education administration from Oklahoma State. He is a former corporate attorney, having worked for the Parker Drilling Company in Texas, and is a member of the State Bars of Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma. 

“We’re going to have the opportunity to become more regionally and nationally prominent,” Mosier said.  “I’m impressed by the college’s balanced mission of instruction and scholarship and the strong focus on student success. The faculty is outstanding, with great participation in the national academies, the MBA program is very strong, we’re maturing in our research and we’re committed to the total student.” 

The new dean believes practical experience, networking and social influences at a university help to define success for students.

“We are a community of students, alumni, faculty and friends, as well as a learning enterprise. Part of the land-grant mission is access for the students, providing career opportunities, and outreach so we need to make sure we support those core features.”

Mosier would like to expand organizations within the college, add more national and international student exchange partnerships and continue to grow the college’s strong record of community outreach and involvement in the region’s economic development.

How does the new dean plan to communicate with more than 100 faculty members, instructors, administrators, staff, thousands of students and a new hometown?

“I like to stay on message and get to know people," he says. "We have to engage everyone in ‘branding’ or establishing the identity of this college, and it might be best to find a space that’s not occupied.  I believe in direct communication, access, opportunity, and student success. There is a great foundation for those factors here and we can continue to grow in all of those areas.”

Although there won’t be much spare time in his future, Mosier enjoys being with his family. He and his wife have two sons, ages 11 and 8, and a 5-year-old daughter. His wife is CFO of a technology-based research and development company. 

“I also enjoy technology, travel and history,” Mosier says. “In fact, I need to get to Austin (Nevada) and Tonopah soon, because I have a great-great-grandfather who lived in both towns. I want to get out and see the state.”

As for the future of COBA, Mosier has one simple statement.

“I think people are going to be excited about this college."

Sue Putnam is a communications director in University Communications.

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