New dean named for Kennesaw State’s Michael J. Coles College of Business
Kathy Schwaig brings more than 20 years of experience to one of Georgia’s and the Southeast…
Georgia (May 10, 2012) —
Kathy Schwaig brings more than 20 years of experience to one of Georgia’s and the
Southeast’s top business schools
KENNESAW, Ga. (May 10, 2012)— Kennesaw State University President Daniel S. Papp has named Kathy “Kat” Schwaig
dean of the Michael J. Coles College of Business, effective immediately. Schwaig has
been serving as interim dean of the college since July 2010.
Schwaig served as associate dean for academic affairs for the Coles College of Business
prior to her appointment as interim dean. A professor of information systems, Schwaig
has held several other positions within the college, including interim chair for the
Department of Accounting and interim dean during the 2008-2009 academic year. She
also served as interim chair for the Department of Computer Science and Information
Systems at Kennesaw State’s College of Science and Mathematics. Prior to joining Kennesaw
State, she held faculty positions at Georgia State University, the University of South
Carolina and Baylor University.
During Schwaig’s tenure as interim dean, the college’s national reputation has risen:
Coles’ Executive MBA (EMBA) and part-time MBA programs were ranked among the best
in the nation in 2011 by Bloomberg Businessweek. Its EMBA program also has been recognized by CEO magazine as one of the best in the U.S. The Coles College is home to the world-renowned
Cox Family Enterprise Center, the Corporate Governance Center and the Center for Professional
Selling.
Schwaig also led the strategic planning process for the Coles College of Business
and facilitated the creation of the college’s Department of Information Systems. She
also was instrumental in the college’s reaccreditation efforts. In addition, under
her leadership, the Coles College of Business enrolled and graduated the inaugural
class in the Doctor of Business Administration program.
Schwaig was among a pool of 40 candidates who vied for the position in a national
search chaired by Arlinda Eaton, dean of Kennesaw State’s Bagwell College of Education.
“Kat has been an outstanding contributor and leader for KSU and the Coles College
of Business since joining the university in 2002,” said W. Ken Harmon, provost and
vice president for academic affairs. “In addition to her wealth of knowledge and experience,
she also is well-respected and liked among faculty, staff and students. I look forward
to her continued support and enthusiasm and I know that her vision, dedication and
leadership will catapult the Coles College further into the national arena.”
The Coles College of Business is the second-largest business school in Georgia and
is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
“The moment I joined the Coles College of Business, I knew that it was unique,” Schwaig
stated. “It is one of the most innovative and entrepreneurial colleges of business
in the nation. The staff and faculty care deeply about our programs, are committed
to excellence in business education and — quite frankly — amaze me with their level
of commitment and energy. I am excited about being a member of the team and I am grateful,
honored and humbled to be selected as dean.”
Schwaig is an expert on information privacy and her research has been published in
leading journals, including Information Systems Research, Communications of the ACM and Journal of Management Information Systems. Currently, she serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Information Security and Privacy.
She is currently on the board of The Edge Connection, a nonprofit that provides business
education to micro-entrepreneurs and is also chair of the board of Partnership in
Academics and Development, a nonprofit focused on education initiatives in central
Asia. Schwaig holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA in information systems
from Baylor University. She earned a Ph.D. in management information systems from
the University of South Carolina.
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Kennesaw State University is the third-largest university in Georgia, offering 80
graduate and undergraduate degrees, including doctorates in education, business and
nursing and a new Ph.D. in international conflict management. A member of the 35-unit
University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a comprehensive, residential institution
with a growing population of 24,100 students from more than 130 countries.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
