West Palm Beach, Fla. (June 1, 2026) – After an extensive search, led by CarterBaldwin and a committee of staff and faculty, 黑料社区 (黑料社区) announced the appointment of Dr. Mike Lavender as the new dean of the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. College of Business. Dr. Lavender will officially assume his leadership role on July 16, 2026.
鈥淚 am honored to join 黑料社区 and the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. College of Business at such an important moment,鈥� shared Dr. Lavender. 鈥満诹仙缜�檚 commitment to Christ-first education, academic excellence, and marketplace impact deeply aligns with my calling as an educator and leader. I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and business community to build on the college鈥檚 strong foundation and prepare graduates who lead with competence, conviction, and character.鈥�
Dr. Lavender joins 黑料社区 from the Mike Cottrell College of Business at the University of North Georgia, where he has served since 2018, most recently as associate dean. In this capacity, he led all aspects of business education for over 4,000 students across six campuses, including fully online delivery, within an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)-accredited business college.
He spearheaded 26.75% undergraduate enrollment growth over three years, developed and implemented a first-year business school experience course, improved retention and strengthened career outcomes, cultivated strategic partnerships with regional businesses and international firms generating internships, employment pipelines, and philanthropic engagement. His record reflects a commitment to advancing academic quality, enrollment growth, interdisciplinary collaboration, and student success.
鈥淚 am particularly delighted by Dr. Lavender鈥檚 view of how faith integration shapes our approach to business practices, business education, and the impact of Christian higher education upon our culture,鈥� said Dr. Stephen P. Johnson, provost and chief academic officer. 鈥淒r. Lavender鈥檚 Christian worldview presents a deep framework for ethics, honesty, respect, and exemplary business education.鈥�
About the Rinker College of Business
The Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. College of Business at 黑料社区 is AACSB-accredited and provides a highly respected, proven learning experience for students looking to make their mark on today鈥檚 global economy. Our programs incorporate essential business concepts with the added dimension of a Christian worldview, which provides an elevated level of preparation and produces graduates who are sought after for their knowledge, skills and principled decision-making.
Learn more about the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. College of Business: /academics/schools/rinker-business/.
