Letter from the Dean

Dear Fellow Salukis,

Welcome back to campus!

Happy new year and welcome back to campus.

It is my distinct pleasure to welcome our new and returning students, faculty, and staff. Things are off to an exciting start here in the College of Business and Analytics. 

My tenure as the interim dean began January 1, 2023, but the journey has been a long one - one that started academically in Carbondale. I was the first in my family to graduate from college. In my first few weeks as a freshman, I was a bit scared but had an exhilarating sense of promise and possibility. With the help of many, I graduated from Southern Illinois University with a bachelor's, a master's, and a doctoral degree.

As a professor, first-generation college student, and three-time CoBA alum, I am committed to business education and providing students the opportunity to delve deeply in their studies to build the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed. Having worked with many students over the past fifteen plus years as faculty, I know firsthand the excellence, scholarship, and enthusiasm that our students exhibit. We Salukis have been known to have that "grit," determination and ability to hit the ground running. Our stories, our graduates, our character, and its reputation have made profound impacts for generations. With great humility, I say, the legacy continues!

SIU's mission to "create and exchange knowledge to shape future leaders, improve our communities, and transform lives " and CoBA's mission to "provide broad educational opportunities to prepare our students to make significant contributions" through our "passionate commitment to change lives and help define the future" are the foundations for building a culture of excellence throughout the college's community. I have long believed that the best way to have good ideas is to have many ideas, and the best way to have many ideas is to welcome and engage everyone in thinking about issues of mutual concern. I know that any visions and goals for the future of CoBA will come through collaboration, and I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work closely with the college community.

Best wishes to a great spring 2024 semester!

Warm regards,

Marc E. Morris, Ph.D., J.D.
Interim Dean and Professor of Accountancy
College of Business and Analytics

Every day is a great day to be a Saluki! GO DAWGS!!!