CSU’s Turner College Dean Hadley Announces Retirement
March 11, 2021
Dr. Linda U. Hadley, dean of the Turner College of Business, has announced she will retire from Columbus State University July 1, after 30 years at the university, following a distinguished career as a teacher, scholar, and leader.
“There are exciting and challenging times ahead for the college,” said Hadley. “I
believe it is time for a new leader to direct the future path of this very special
institution. I appreciate the opportunity I have been given to contribute to the growth
and leadership of this extraordinary place, and value the important work we accomplished
together.”
Starting her career at CSU in 1992 as an assistant professor, she has been recognized
for her contributions in teaching, administration, and service. She was named dean
of the Turner College in 2003.
As Dean of the Turner College, she made her driving mission to achieve accreditation
by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).
AACSB Accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools
worldwide and has long been considered the benchmark for quality in business education.
Her leadership and commitment resulted in the College earning initial accreditation
by AACSB International in 2004. Subsequently, Dr. Hadley became a reviewer and consultant
for business schools seeking AACSB accreditation in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia.
In 2014, Dr. Hadley was elected to a three-year term representing U.S. business schools
on the Board of Directors of AACSB. She was re-elected to another three-year term
in 2017. In 2019, Dr. Hadley was elected Chair-Elect of the Board of AACSB International,
and currently serves as Chair of the Board. AACSB has 1,600 member institutions, including
800 accredited business schools across 53 countries and territories. Closer to home,
Dr. Hadley has served as a Board Member and President of the Southern Business Administrators’
Association – a professional association of business deans of the colleges and universities
in the southeastern United States.
“In her years as dean, and during her decades at CSU, Dr. Hadley has been one of the defining leaders in shaping the distinctive character of the Turner College of Business, to include the expansion of the MBA programs, its focus on servant leadership and accreditation from the AACSB ” said CSU President Chris Markwood. “She has also been a strong and influential voice on our leadership team on matters of university concern, and her organizational and financial expertise has long benefited not just the Turner College but the university as a whole. She leaves a remarkable legacy!”
“Under Linda’s longtime leadership, the Turner College has become one of the region’s
most recognized business schools for its innovative programs and relationships with
the local and regional business community,” added Dr. Deborah Bordelon, provost and
executive vice president. “We are grateful for her commitment to excellence in academics
and service over several decades to the university. We wish her all the best as she
embarks on the next chapter of her life.”
Hadley also holds the Bill Heard Endowed Chair in the Turner College. She earned a
bachelor’s of arts in economics from Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley, Massachusetts),
an MBA from Columbus State University, and a Ph.D. in financial economics from Auburn
University. She has also completed the Management Development Program at Harvard University.
She is a past recipient of the Turner College’s Excellence in Teaching and Faculty
Service Awards. In 2005, she was awarded Columbus State University’s Distinguished
Alumnus Award.
Dr. Hadley has been an active member of the Columbus community. During her career, she has served on the boards of Columbus Bank and Trust, St. Francis Hospital, the Pastoral Institute (Chair), the Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation, Historic Columbus, Columbus Public Library, Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley, Columbus Museum, Metro Columbus YMCA, Georgia Small Business Development Council and the Columbus Rotary Club.
Bordelon indicated that the university will announce plans for a national search within the month, with the hopes of having the Turner College’s next dean in place by the start of the 2021-22 academic year.