Dr. Shuming Bai Named Dean of the College of Business

Dr. Shuming Bai has been named dean of the college of business at McNeese State University. Bai succeeds Dr. Wade Rousse who will remain with McNeese as vice president of university advancement. Her appointment was effective July 1.

Bai received her Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration with a concentration in finance and her Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in English degrees from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (formally the University of Texas-Pan American). She has more than 25 years of experience as a faculty member and administrator in higher education.

Bai comes to McNeese from Eastern Washington University (EWU) in Spokane where she served as associate dean and director of graduate business programs and as a professor of finance. At EWU, she was the principal academic leader who led the college of business in improving the assurance of learning processes systematically for the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International accreditation. She oversaw the operations of all academic programs and student services in the college.

Prior to Eastern Washington, Bai served as chair of graduate business studies in the college of business at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin as well as interim chair of the department of accounting, finance and economics. At UTPB, Bai established the energy business program, providing in-demand graduates to the energy industry and bringing industry resources to enhance the curricula. She was also the first faculty recipient of the endowed Jack Ladd Fellow in Business and she was recognized with several Outstanding Teaching and Research Awards. Bai also coordinated the launch and growth of online MBA programs with several concentrations.

Prior to entering academia, she also held managerial positions with Target Stores and Shenzhen Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Co. These responsibilities provided her with industry and international experiences that were essential to the development of experiential learning and global outreach efforts throughout her career. Bai is widely published in refereed academic journals and has made numerous presentations at national and international conferences. She has served on editorial boards for refereed finance and business journals, is a member of several professional organizations and was elected to serve on the board of directors for the Southwestern Finance Association. In spring 2021, Bai was the recipient of a $125,000 financial literacy education grant by AccessLex Institute.