Joan Phillips-Hernandez, professor of marketing at University of Missouri-St. Louis, has been selected as the NIU College of Business’ next dean. She will assume leadership of the college July 1, pending approval by the NIU Board of Trustees at its May meeting.
Joan Phillips-Hernandez, professor of marketing at University of Missouri-St. Louis, has been selected as the NIU College of Business’ next dean. She will assume leadership of the college July 1, pending approval by the NIU Board of Trustees at its May meeting.
“Phillips-Hernandez brings experience as an innovative and visionary academic leader who has served as a dean, associate dean, department chair and graduate program director,” said NIU Executive Vice President and Provost Laurie Elish-Piper, who oversaw the national search that drew outstanding candidates. “She shares NIU’s commitments to access and equity, and she is a passionate advocate for first-generation students, impactful research and student success.”
For nearly three decades, Phillips-Hernandez has worked in higher education; first as an assistant professor, associate professor and professor of marketing, then with increased leadership roles including dean for the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Barry University. She also previously served as an associate dean for Loyola University Chicago and was an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow at Purdue University Northwest.
“In this role, I am looking forward to building on the college’s past success,” said Phillips-Hernandez. “I am excited to work with NIU’s outstanding faculty, staff, alumni and business partners to ensure that future students have a state-of-the-art learning experience that prepares them to be successful leaders in business and society.”
Phillips-Hernandez earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University at Albany, her MBA in general management (marketing) from the University of Virginia and her Ph.D. in business administration (marketing and statistics) from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Currently, Phillips-Hernandez also serves as a peer review team chair and peer reviewer for the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), as well as a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Looking forward, she welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with NIU’s other deans to advance initiatives that engage interdisciplinary teams of faculty and students to address the complex problems facing business and society.
She will succeed Denise D. Schoenbachler who has served as interim dean since July 2023, past dean (2006-2016), department chair, and professor of marketing during her 30-year career at NIU.
“It has been so fulfilling be able to guide the college during this past year, and I am so thrilled that we have found the right person to lead the college into the future,” Schoenbachler said. “With the strength of our faculty, staff and alumni, along with our incredible students, I know Joan will be able to continue the NIU College of Business’ legacy of excellence.”
Learn more about the College of Business.
