Beacom School of Business Announces New Associate Dean and Department Chair
Current Associate Dean De Vee Dykstra, J.D., will step down from her role and return to faculty as a tenured full professor to continue her passion for teaching, research and service to USD.
“Associate Dean De Vee Dykstra has provided strong leadership to all of our academic endeavors over the past five years,” said Venky Venkatachalam, Ph.D., dean of the Beacom School of Business. “She has played a significant role in the development of many new academic programs, including our successful reaccreditation efforts, faculty recruiting, and managing our undergraduate and graduate recruiting and advising operations. I am grateful for her dedication and hard work, and I know she will continue to make an impact in the classroom and through her research.”
Birkeland is currently chair of the economics and decision sciences division and associate professor of economics. Recently she played an active role in the successful AACSB reaccreditation efforts at the Beacom School of Business and has served the university in various capacities.
“Dr. Birkeland is an outstanding teacher and researcher, and she continues to provide highly distinguished service to the Beacom School of Business and USD,” continued Venkatachalam. “She brings significant talent, energy, and innovative ideas on our continued efforts to achieve national and global recognition for the Beacom School of Business.”
Thomas Tiahrt, Ph.D., will step into the role of interim chair of the economics and decision sciences division of the Beacom School of Business. He is an associate professor of decision sciences, POET Professor of Business Analytics, program coordinator for the Master of Science in Business Analytics and the undergraduate operational analytics major.
“Dr. Tiahrt has been instrumental in developing the analytics program at the Beacom School of Business. I look forward to his leadership support and collaboration as a member of the Beacom Executive Committee,” said Venkatachalam.
