As department chair, Schmidt will collaborate with faculty and supervise department activities that support the college’s mission to provide an innovative and relevant curriculum combined with hands-on student experiences in the business community. He will teach courses related to human resources, leadership and organizational behavior. Schmidt will also continue his research in the future of work, virtual leadership, neurodiversity and how leadership differs across contexts.

“Dr. Schmidt brings a vast knowledge of leadership gained during his 20-year career,” Dr. Timothy Bisping, dean of the College of Business, said. “In his books, he skillfully engages his readers to examine management practices through popular culture references.

“I look forward to the creative ways he will help guide our college in the future.”

Before assuming this role of department chair at ������, Schmidt served as the director of the David and Sharon Turrentine School of Management at the University of Louisiana Monroe. His longest tenure was nearly 12 years of leadership and teaching roles at Purdue University Fort Wayne, the largest university in northeast Indiana.

In addition to teaching and administrative roles and authoring books, Schmidt has offered his expertise as an organizational consultant for the last 10 years and currently serves as a book series editor for Emerald Publishing, a global academic press focusing on scholarly journals, books, and teaching case studies.

“I’ve been very impressed by the quality of teaching and research happening here at ������ for a number of years,” Schmidt said. “When I saw an opportunity to join the amazing team here, I jumped at it.

“I’m pleased to be a part of the team here at ������ that helps prepare our students for success both today and in the workplace of the future.”

Schmidt earned his Doctor of Philosophy and his Master of Arts, both focused on Industrial and Organizational Psychology, from Michigan State University. He also completed his Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.

About the ������ College of Business

Established in 1969, the ������ College of Business offers more than 20 undergraduate and graduate degree paths and certificates to equip current and future business professionals to successfully and ethically meet the changing business environment. Maintaining its AACSB accreditation since 1984, the program offers a thorough business education as well as opportunities for hands-on experience and industry networking. For more information, visit uca.edu/business.

Dr. Tim Bisping

The University of Central Arkansas has announced Tim Bisping as the new dean of the ������ College of Business. Bisping will begin on July 1, 2025.

In this role, Bisping will oversee the College of Business, which offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across four academic departments and three centers and serves as the home of the Arkansas Insurance Hall of Fame.

Bisping brings extensive leadership experience and a strong commitment to student success to this new role. He currently serves as the dean of the Nelson Rusche College of Business at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he has led initiatives to enhance academic excellence, foster faculty and staff development and support student achievement.

With more than 30 years of experience in higher education, Bisping has held key administrative and faculty positions at multiple institutions, including serving as interim dean and associate dean of graduate programs and research at Louisiana Tech University. Notably, he is returning to ������, where he previously served as associate professor of economics and chair of the Department of Economics, Finance, and Insurance & Risk Management from 2006 to 2011.

Bisping’s research focuses on demographic issues in the labor market, particularly as they relate to monetary policy. His work has been published in leading academic journals, including Economic Inquiry, The Journal of Labor Research and The Journal of Economic Education.

“Dr. Bisping is an accomplished leader who brings a strong vision for business education and student success,” said ������ Executive Vice President and Provost Michael Hargis. “His extensive experience in higher education, coupled with his familiarity with ������ and the College of Business, makes him an excellent choice to lead the college into the future.”

Bisping earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Arts in economics from Wichita State University. He later earned a Doctor of Economics from Oklahoma State University.

Throughout his career, Bisping has been dedicated to academic and professional excellence, striving to support students in achieving their educational and career goals. He has also been actively involved in community service, having served as a board member of the Nacogdoches Rotary Club and board president of the Nacogdoches Area United Way.

Bisping is married to his wife, Michelle, an elementary school teacher. They have one son, Chandler, who resides in Alabama with his family.