Written by: Samil Baker
Media Contact: Alicia Rohan
Christopher L. Shook, Ph.D.Christopher L. Shook, Ph.D., has been selected as the next dean of the Collat School of Business following a national search. He will begin his new role July 1.
"Dr. Shook has significant knowledge and diverse experience that will be an asset to the school," said Pam Benoit, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. "I am particularly pleased that he is focused on interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships with the business community that will extend the university's reach and impact."
With more than 25 years of academic leadership, Shook, who currently is dean of the Gordon Ford College of Business at Western Kentucky University, has been a professor and chair at Auburn University and a faculty member at the University of Texas at Arlington and Northern Illinois University. Prior to joining Western Kentucky University in 2019, he was the Sprunk and Burnham Endowed Dean at the University of Montana College of Business.
"I am thrilled and honored by the opportunity to return to Alabama and, more specifically, join UAB as the dean of the Collat School of Business," said Shook. "As a first-generation college graduate, I am passionate about the role higher education plays in society. Birmingham's immense progress over the last decade and UAB's role in advancing the city and state motivated my interest in the position. The Collat School of Business has a very strong foundation of quality faculty, staff, students and programs and a long history of partnering with industry. I look forward to the opportunity to lead the school as we continue to ‘Forge the Future.’”
The author and co-author of more than 35 professional publications and more than 55 presentations, Shook has been a two-time Fulbright Scholar in Romania and visiting professor in Poitiers, France. His scholarship focuses on the exploration and exploitation of entrepreneurial opportunities, strategic decision-making processes, and methodological issues in strategy and entrepreneurial research.
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"Dr. Shook has significant knowledge and diverse experience that will be an asset to the school. I am particularly pleased that he is focused on interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships with the business community that will extend the university's reach and impact." |
In addition to his work in academia, Shook was a Certified Public Accountant and the 2022 recipient of the Southern Management Association's most prestigious honor, the James G. Hunt SMA Sustained Outstanding Service Award.
Shook received his bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Northern Colorado, and a master's in business administration from the University of Mississippi. He earned his doctorate in business administration from Louisiana State University and a Certified Public Accountant certificate from the Colorado State Board of Accountancy.
Benoit also commended the search committee, led by School of Engineering Dean Jeff Holmes, Ph.D., for its success in identifying an experienced and innovative candidate.
"The search committee did an exceptional job identifying and recruiting visionary candidates for this important role, and I want to thank them for their commitment," Benoit said. "I commend Dr. Holmes' leadership as chair of the search committee, and I appreciate the participation by faculty, staff, students and community members in the search process."
