The University of Northern Colorado announced the selection of Ken Colwell, Ph.D., as the next dean of the Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business. He will begin his new role July 1, 2023. 

Colwell comes to UNC with more than 35 years of experience in both academia and industry. Since 2003 he has held a combination of administrative, teaching and senior leadership roles at five different universities. He is entering his 10th year as a dean, having previously served in that role at three different Hispanic Serving (HSI) or Minority Serving (MSI) institutions. He is currently a professor and former dean at the College of Business at the University of Houston – Victoria (UHV), an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)-accredited school with approximately 2,000 degree-seeking students on two campuses and online.  

“We were fortunate to have a number of strong candidates interested in the position of dean of the Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business,” said Kirsten Fleming, executive vice president and provost. “Dr. Colwell was chosen because of the broad support he received from multiple constituencies, his existing successful experience leading colleges of businesses combined with his experience in industry, his commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all students and employees and his entrepreneurial and creative approach to his work. I have no doubt that Dr. Colwell has the background, experience and skills to facilitate the continued and growing success of the Monfort College of Business.” 

An experienced educator, Colwell specializes in program development to grow academic offerings and enhance student success. During his tenure at UHV the college launched three new degree programs, five advanced certificates for the MBA program and one new minor. Other key initiatives under his leadership included the development of a five-year strategic plan that was aligned to university and AACSB priorities, a focus on faculty development and the college’s successful AACSB reaccreditation in 2020.  

Prior to UHV, Colwell served as professor and dean of the School of Business at Central Connecticut State University (2015-19) where he helped to increase enrollment by 14%, growing the MBA program from 100 to 400 students in under three years and developing and implementing a master's in accounting program that brought in 100 students in its first year. He was also instrumental in negotiating articulation agreements with state community colleges for four business programs.  

Colwell’s other academic positions include associate professor and dean of the School of Business, Public Administration and Information Sciences at Long Island University in Brooklyn (2013-15), director of Entrepreneurship Programs at the University of Miami School of Business Administration (2009-13) and assistant professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Drexel University LeBow College of Business/Baida Center for Entrepreneurship (2003-09). He also brings significant managerial experience from the financial services industry, holding several positions with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., as a registered representative, branch supervisor, manager, senior project manager and director. 

“I’m honored to have been selected to be the next dean of the Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business,” Colwell said. “It is clear to me that the university shares my values of being a welcoming, enriching place for all our students as well as creatively seeking opportunities for growth and change for the benefit of our students and the community. I would like to thank Provost Fleming, President Feinstein and the faculty for their belief in me, and I am confident that with the skills and dedication of our faculty and staff as well as the extraordinary support the college has received from the local community, we will continue to achieve great things in the future.” 

Colwell received his Ph.D. in Management with an emphasis in Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Oregon, an MBA in Management from San Francisco State University and a bachelor’s in Biology from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.  

Colwell is replacing Department Chair and Professor of Management Keiko Krahnke, who stepped into the role of interim dean last July. 

—written by Deanna Herbert