Matthew Waller on Clubhouse

Bio

My role as dean is straight-forward: To fulfill the college’s vision and mission, and do it in a way that upholds our stated values.

As I lead I am intentional about growing my understanding and application of how to lead and manage. My career path has taken a number of twists and turns, all of which have helped prepare me for my current duties. I came to the University of Arkansas in 1994 as a visiting assistant professor, and I have held several positions with the college of business.

I was the chair of the Department of Supply Chain Management when it was established in 2011. And I have been dean of the Walton College since 2015. I also co-founded Bentonville Associates Ventures and Mercari Technologies. I never thought I’d move into an administrative role, but I truly love the work I’m doing as dean. It is challenging, fascinating, and highly rewarding to collaborate with faculty, staff, students, other deans, benefactors, administrators, and business and community leaders as we clarify and implement our strategic vision.

In my tenure as dean, I’ve witnessed the enormous generosity of our alumni, who have given both financially and with their time and wisdom. Among other things, they have helped us launch the Little Rock Executive Education office, the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub on the square in Fayetteville, the McMillon Innovation Studio on campus, the Supply Chain Policy Initiative, the Blockchain Center of Excellence and the William Dillard Department of Accounting. Many of them also participate on one of my three advisory boards.

I am proud of our faculty, staff, and students for living our EPIC values (excellence, professionalism, innovation, and collegiality). At the U of A, half of the top 20 researchers, based on citations, are faculty in the Walton College. Our faculty win many teaching awards, are editors of peer reviewed journals, and in leadership positions in professional organizations.