AU selects Dan Fox as dean of College of Business and Economics

Joe Lyons • April 17, 2024

Ashland University is pleased to announce that following a national search Daniel Fox has been appointed as the new dean of the Dauch College of Business and Economics, effectively immediately. Fox had been serving as the interim dean.

AU’s College of Business and Economics (COBE) offers 14 bachelor degree programs, including industrial and systems engineering, which was just approved for fall of 2023, as well as a Master of Business Administration. It also houses the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, which is devoted to encouraging entrepreneurial spirit and bringing new business ideas to the community and world. COBE is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

“We are grateful to the search committee for their excellent work in identifying Dan Fox as the new dean of (COBE). Dan has been an outstanding member of our campus community for many years, and his work as interim dean revealed his collaborative, innovative approach to this important work,” stated Carlos Campo, president of AU.

As interim dean since May 2022, Fox created an environment for operational excellence and developed a visual representation of how faculty, staff and students will be successful in COBE. He finalized 13 MBA certifications, successfully moved industrial and systems engineering degree through the accreditation process and diligently worked to enhance faculty presence and engagement in area high schools. He was also instrumental in maintaining the college’s ACBSP accreditation and continuing the work toward Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation.

Fox joined AU in 2004 and has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in management, entrepreneurship, finance, business law and accounting as a tenured associate professor. He received the university’s Taylor Teaching Award in 2019, the Academic Mentor Award in 2021 and the Ellis Teaching Award in 2011.

In addition to teaching, Fox is active in both scholarship and service. He has been published in many prestigious journals, including the “Journal of Academy of Business and Economics,” the “Journal of International Finance and Economics,” the “American Journal of Business Education” and the “International Business & Economics Journal.” He has presented at more than 50 professional conferences, and has served the university as a department chairperson of economics, finance, marketing and accounting, as a member of the Dean’s Council, as the chair of the Morgan Center Advisory Board and as director of the Entrepreneurial Education Consortium.

Fox earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and political science from Ohio Northern University and a juris doctor from ONU College of Law. He is both a licensed Ohio attorney and a Certified Public Accountant. Prior to joining AU, he consulted for the world’s largest oil company, Saudi Aramco, in Saudi Arabia. He also worked for the “Big Eight” accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand and the law firm of Emens, Hurd, Kegler & Ritter, practicing business and tax law. Fox continues to consult with startup and entrepreneurial companies, providing legal, accounting and operational advice.

“Dan has been a strong collaborator from which his colleagues on Academic Council have benefitted. This has been a continuation of the kind of forward and creative thinking with actions, which are helping COBE and Academic Affairs advance in meeting the mission of the university,” said Amiel Jarstfer, provost at AU.