CBSM Dean Mark Herrmannn to Step Aside

Mark Herrmann will step aside from his position as dean of the UAF College of Business and Security Management on June 30, 2022. He has served as dean of CBSM since 2007.

Herrmann joined the CBSM as an assistant professor of economics in 1991. He is a fisheries economist and has performed extensive research on Alaska's salmon, halibut, crab, and pollock fisheries. He completed more than 30 externally-funded projects for federal and state agencies including the National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, NOAA, and Alaska Sea Grant.

In 2007, Herrmann began serving as interim dean and he was officially appointed as dean in 2008. Under his leadership, CBSM has continued to meet the rigorous standards set forth by the professional education community and continues to achieve premier business school accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.



Under Hermann’s leadership, CSBM has achieved numerous accomplishments powering  through budget cuts and the pandemic. As the longest-serving CBSM dean, the accolades under his leadership are numerous. Most notable nods include being the first academic unit to launch differential tuition, establishing the $3.5M James Pruitt Endowed Chair, receiving the 2019 Edith R. Bullock Prize for Excellence and most recently the organizational and name change from a school to a college. Additionally, in 2015, CBSM was one of only two out of 600 schools across the nation recognized by AACSB for its experiential learning, community engagement and development practices.

“What I will miss most are the people,” said Herrmann. “Everyone at CBSM is like family to me. But I am very confident in the future of the college and look forward to helping out any way I can, just in a slightly different role.”

Herrmann hopes to remain part of CBSM, including leading the college’s AACSB re-accreditation effort through the next site visit scheduled for the fall of 2024. He also hopes to remain involved with outreach and development efforts for CBSM, as well as supporting the success of the new UAF North Star College.

UAF Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Anupma Prakash will launch the search for a new dean of CBSM in spring 2022.

“Dean Herrmann is a visionary leader always looking into the future,” Prakash said. “His nimbleness in managing through tough times and good times with equal positivity, are hallmarks of his leadership. Dean Herrmann empowers students, staff and faculty to pursue their ideas as he builds connections within the college and the community.”