Bowling Green State University has selected a Massachusetts university administrator with research interests in health care systems as the next dean of the Schmidthorst College of Business. Dr. Jennifer Percival will join BGSU on June 20.
She has served since 2017 as the associate dean in the Manning School of Business at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where her responsibilities include implementing strategic initiatives, supporting advancement, faculty mentoring, program assessment, and developing internal and external partnerships. Before joining UMass Lowell she served as associate dean for the Faculty of Business and Information Technology at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
At UMass Lowell she chaired the Society for Health Systems student committee which focuses on outreach to students interested in applications of industrial engineering and systems analysis in health care.
In a letter to the campus community announcing her selection, Provost Joe Whitehead wrote: “An advocate for students and their academic and career success, Dr. Percival led initiatives directed to support first-generation students, to increase engagement with student organizations in the college and to encourage undergraduate research.” That work, Whitehead said, has resulted in significant increases in undergraduate and graduate recruitment and retention. “She will bring Bowling Green State University energy and experience in higher education administration, focusing on promoting interdisciplinary research and teaching; mentoring and support for faculty; and creative collaborations within and beyond the college, including those with current and new external partners, donors and alumni.”
Percival holds a Ph.D. in management science from the University of Waterloo, where she also earned an Honours Bachelor of Mathematics in operations research. “Her scholarly work demonstrates her deep interest and expertise in collaborative, interdisciplinary projects. Dr. Percival’s publications focus on the strategic use of technology and innovation, and the integration of technology into organizational practices with applications in health care and higher education.”
Whitehead continued: “I look forward to working with Dr. Percival as she takes on the challenge of developing a clear and compelling vision for the future of the college while fostering excellence in teaching and research, prioritizing diversity and inclusion, and serving as a visible and engaged fundraiser for the college.”
The search committee was chaired by Vice President for Research and Economic Engagement Michael Ogawa. The consulting firm of Isaacson, Miller also worked with university on the search.
The previous dean, Raymond Braun had served in that position since 2012. The previous dean was Rodney Rogers, now president of BGSU, who was hired as dean in 2006.
