Dr. Gary Linn has been named the new dean of the College of Professional Studies at Rogers State University.
Set to assume the role July 1, Dr. Linn succeeds Dr. Todd Jackson, former chair of the Department of Business, who has served as interim dean of the College of Professional Studies since January 2025. Jackson is assuming a new role as RSU’s associate vice president for academic affairs, accountability and academics, likewise effective July 1.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Susan Willis said Linn will be a tremendous asset to the university.
“Dr. Linn has great experience with institutions similar to ours, including leadership in the accreditation process,” Willis said. “He brings an energy to lead the CPS in its future endeavors and help grow new programs.”
Linn is grateful for the opportunity to join the academic administration at RSU.
“I am excited to join Rogers State University,” Linn said. “The College of Professional Studies is uniquely positioned for growth, and I look forward to building on its strong foundation. I appreciate Dr. Willis’ and the search committee’s confidence in my ability to lead the college.”
Linn holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Arkansas Tech University, a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University and a Doctor of Business Administration from Louisiana Tech University.
Linn’s previous experience includes serving as associate dean for the School of Business at Henderson State University (HSU) in Arkadelphia, Arkansas (1997-99); professor of accounting and chair of the International Business and Finance Department, American University of Paris in Paris, France (2005-2006); professor of accounting and Cecil Cupp Chair of Business, HSU (2006-08); and dean of the School of Business at HSU from 1999-2005 and again in 2008.
From 2008-11, Linn served as dean for the School of Business Administration at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. From 2011-14, he was director of the Program Bachelor International at La Rochelle Business School in La Rochelle, France.
He served as vice president for Diamond Bear Brewing in North Little Rock, Arkansas, from 2014-2019, focusing on finances and operations. During that time, he served as an adjunct faculty member at Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) in Bentonville, teaching accounting and entrepreneurship courses. He also served as a consultant/mentor for AACSB Accreditation-Europe from 2014-2016.
From 2019-2024, he served as an assistant professor at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. While at NSU, he served as assistant dean for accreditation and assessment in the College of Business and Technology from 2021-2022 and as department chair for accounting and finance in the College of Business and Technology from 2021-2023.
From 2024 through this academic year, he served as accounting faculty and department chair at NWACC.
As dean for the College of Professional Studies, Linn’s role will be to provide administrative leadership for the college, its academic departments, programs, faculty and curricular affairs. His responsibilities will include overseeing academic planning and budgeting for the college, exploring and developing new academic programs based on projected student demand and workforce needs, leadership in developing and maintaining program accreditation, recruiting faculty, and establishing successful partnerships.