The 网曝吃瓜 (网曝吃瓜) has selected Steven Elias, Ph.D., as the next dean of the Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business. 

Elias comes to 网曝吃瓜 most recently from Fort Lewis College (FLC) where he has been serving as the endowed dean for the Katz School of Business since 2017. Formerly the college鈥檚 School of Business Administration, Elias was responsible for securing a $10 million endowment to rename the school in 2023 鈥� the largest gift in the college鈥檚 history.  

During his tenure at FLC, Elias helped establish the first endowed professorship and largest endowed scholarship for the college, and founded the school鈥檚 Center for Innovation, a community facing center dedicated to entrepreneurship, start-ups and small business development throughout southwest Colorado.  

Under his strategic and visionary leadership at FLC, Elias built a 25-member Business Advisory Council, oversaw the development of the business school鈥檚 strategic plan and led the successful effort to earn reaccreditation for the school through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business in 2021. He also expanded hands-on learning experiences for students by launching new industry partnerships, developing interdisciplinary programs and supporting student entrepreneurship across all majors on campus. 

鈥淲e were fortunate to have a number of strong candidates interested in the position of dean of the Monfort College of Business,鈥� said Kirsten Fleming, 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs. 鈥淒r. Elias was chosen because of the broad support he received from multiple constituencies both on and off campus and his existing and long-standing successful experience as a dean. He brings with him an ability to build relationships, a commitment to creating a positive culture, and a creative problem-solving approach, all of which promise to benefit the college.鈥� 

Prior to his time at FLC, Elias spent almost a decade at New Mexico State University (NMSU), where he held several roles in the College of Business, including doctoral program director, Management department head, interim associate dean for research, director of the Woodrow Wilson MBA Fellowship in Education Leadership program and professor of Management.  

Elias brings over 24 years of higher education experience to his new role at 网曝吃瓜. His knowledge and experience support key foundations of shared governance; fundraising and resource growth; advancing equity, diversity and inclusion efforts; and promoting student, faculty and staff success.  

Elias earned a Ph.D. in Applied Social Psychology from Colorado State University, a Master of Science in Applied Psychology from Auburn University Montgomery and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of South Florida. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to join the 网曝吃瓜 as dean of the Monfort College of Business,鈥� said Elias. 鈥淲ith its outstanding students, dedicated faculty and talented staff, MCB is well-positioned to deepen its impact through immersive education, career readiness and community engagement.  

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to bring a network of relationships from across Colorado to help create new opportunities within the college, across campus and throughout the region. This is a pivotal moment to advance our shared work in alignment with 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 Rowing, Not Drifting 2030 strategic plan,鈥� said Elias. 

Elias begins his new role at 网曝吃瓜 July 14, replacing Interim Dean Keiko Krahnke.