Jennifer Conrad is named interim dean

Jennifer S. Conrad, Dalton McMichael Distinguished Professor of Finance, was named interim dean of UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School effective Sept. 22, 2022.

Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz and Provost and Chief Academic Officer J. Christopher Clemens appointed Conrad, who wrote is “a highly respected leader, Jennifer is well positioned to build on UNC Kenan-Flagler’s strong reputation and recent successes.”

The interim appointment follows the retirement of Doug Shackelford (BSBA ’80), who served as dean from 2014 until his retirement on Sept. 19, 2022.

A faculty member since 1985, Conrad is an award-winning instructor who has taught in the Undergraduate Business, MAC, MBA and PhD programs. She currently teaches an elective class on derivatives for the Undergraduate Business Program.

Conrad served as senior associate dean for academic affairs from 2011 until 2016, overseeing the work of the faculty and academic programs. She was serving in that role when the School launched MBA@UNC and the online format of the Master of Accounting Program. She even managed to make time to develop one of the first courses for MBA@UNC when it launched in 2011. She received the Roy W. Holsten Exceptional Service Award in 2016 in recognition of her service in that role. It is highest honor for service and exceptional leadership awarded to faculty and staff at UNC Kenan-Flagler.

Conrad also served two terms as area chair of finance, from 1995-1998 and 2000-2003.

She is widely recognized for her research on investments and finance, with a focus on asset pricing, capital markets, institutional investing and portfolio management.

Conrad has served on the board of directors of the Financial Management Association, the Western Finance Association and the American Finance Association. She is also a past president of the Financial Management Association and a former chair of its board of trustees.

She received a doctorate and MBA in finance and economics from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Butler University.

“This is a busy and exciting time at UNC Kenan-Flagler, especially as we hold a groundbreaking ceremony for a new building next week and conclude a successful fundraising campaign later this year,” Guskiewicz and Clemens wrote. “We are grateful to Jennifer for her leadership during this interim period while we launch a search to identify a permanent dean. Please join us in congratulating her on this important appointment.”