Belk College dean to step down in October

After nine years as dean of the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte, Steven Ott has announced his intention to step down from his post on Oct. 15. Ott has served as the dean of Belk College since 2011.

“Steven Ott is widely respected throughout Charlotte, both in business and in the academic community. Through his relationship-based leadership style, Steve inspires the faculty, staff and students of the Belk College of Business to excel. The graduates and faculty of our leading research-focused business school have spread an entrepreneurial spirit and a wealth of intellectual capital throughout the Carolinas and beyond. Dedicated to the partnership between the University and the business community, Steve has built a positive and productive foundation for our institution’s relationship with industry that will serve us well into the future,” said Joan F. Lorden, UNC Charlotte provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Ott, who was appointed dean of the Belk College of Business by Lorden in January 2011, has directed the college through a period of strong growth in student enrollment, academic programming and private financial support. Under his leadership, the Belk College has matured significantly in its partnership with industry, inclusive culture, research mission and dedication to service. Highly credentialed and qualified as a relationship-building leader, Ott has substantially strengthened ties with the Charlotte business community since joining UNC Charlotte as a faculty member in 1999.

Jennifer Troyer, senior associate dean of the Belk College of Business and professor of Economics, will be interim dean beginning Oct. 15. Since joining the college 20 years ago, Troyer has served as chair of the Department of Economics, associate dean for research and graduate programs and most recently the interim dean of the College of Health and Human Services. As a professor, she has taught numerous courses in health economics and econometrics. She has conducted policy-relevant research on the quality of U.S. nursing homes, the cost-effectiveness of medical interventions and strategic behavior in the pharmaceutical industry. Her research has earned several awards and been funded by the National Institutes of Health.

“Dean Ott’s integrity, the organizational culture that he has fostered, and his focus on the college’s vision to be North Carolina’s urban research business school will leave a lasting mark on our college. Through his own hard work and through his leadership, he has worked with faculty, staff, students and members of the Charlotte business community to transform the Belk College of Business. We are now an established regional leader in offering cutting-edge educational programs and original research that contributes to regional, national and international conversations around business and economic practices,” said Troyer.

UNC Charlotte will begin a national search for a new dean to lead the Belk College.