Published on March 26, 2025 by Catherine Smith  

After 14 years of dedicated leadership, Chad Carson announced he will step down as dean of Samford University’s Brock School of Business, effective June 30, 2025. Carson intends to return as a full-time faculty member teaching entrepreneurship and management classes after taking a fall sabbatical.

Carson’s leadership journey at Samford has included eight years as associate dean, two years as interim dean, and four years as dean of Brock School of Business. His tenure has been marked by a commitment to academic excellence and a passion for student success. 

“Serving as Dean of the Brock School of Business has been one of the greatest honors of my career. The students, faculty and staff here are exceptional, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together,” Carson said. “While I will miss the role of dean, I look forward to returning to the classroom and continuing to support our students in their academic and professional growth.”

During his tenure as dean, Carson advanced the school’s mission with a focus on quality teaching, meaningful scholarship and servant leadership. He was honored with the Outstanding Scholarship Award three times by Brock School of Business and published over 50 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious academic journals. He was named Outstanding Educator by the Federation of Business Disciplines/Southwest Case Research Association. In January 2025, Carson was appointed to the board of directors for the Southern Business Administration Association.

David Cimbora, Samford’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, will appoint an interim dean before Carson’s departure. A national search for Carson’s replacement will take place during the 2025-2026 academic year, with the new dean expected to assume the role in July 1 2026.

The Brock School of Business community will celebrate Carson’s contributions and leadership as he transitions to his new role.

Carson expressed gratitude to students for their support and dedication. “Good luck with the rest of the semester – finish strong,” he encouraged. “Your faculty and staff are cheering you on!”

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.