Providing Guidance and Direction
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Laura Dunham has been named the next dean of Opus College of Business. An entrepreneurial thought leader, she has spent the last 19 years of her career at St. Thomas and served as associate dean of Opus’ Schulze School of Entrepreneurship for the last five. As dean, she will continue building on Opus' excellence foundation. Congratulations, Dean Laura Dunham!
The leadership team at the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas is committed to advancing the mission of the college – to develop effective, principled business leaders who think globally, act ethically and create enduring value for society.
This diverse team of deans, faculty chairs and advisory board members work together to set effective strategies and build a culture that inspires excellence and innovation among our students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Senior Associate Dean
Michael J. Garrison is responsible for AACSB accreditation, faculty development, research initiatives, and the quality and integrity of the college’s academic programs, including assessment of student learning. He joined the college in 2005 as a professor of business law and served as the chair of the Department of Ethics and Business Law from 2007-09.
Interim Assistant Dean for Undergraduate and Accelerated Master’s Programs
Kristine DeVinck is responsible for the academic leadership of the undergraduate business and accelerated master’s programs.
Associate Dean, Graduate Programs
Pat Hedberg oversees the operational and academic aspects of graduate degree programs, including MBA programs, specialized master’s programs, and graduate degree certificates. Pat joined St. Thomas in 1991, was tenured in 1997 and then promoted to Associate Professor in 1998. She actively consults with local organizations on leadership development, change management and team collaboration. Pat received her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology and her Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Minnesota.
Interim Associate Dean of the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship
Jessica Cooley sets program-level strategies and is responsible for developing and delivering the co- and extra-curricular programs offered by the Schulze School. She engages with external constituents, and across the university, to create workshops, venture competitions, and mentoring and internship programs. Jessica also manages the Schulze Innovation Scholars program, a four-year, full-tuition scholarship offering a suite of specialized entrepreneurship co-curricular, programming, internships, and mentors. Jessica holds bachelor of art degrees in communications and Spanish, and a master of art degrees in leadership in student affairs and organization development and change from the University of St. Thomas.
Finance Executive (retired)
Founder and Attorney, TJA Business Law
Marketing Executive (retired)
President and CEO, Argent International
Managing Director: Global Engineering Experience, JPMorgan Chase
CEO, IQ Strategic Partners
Chief Operating Officer, Inspire Medical Systems
Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Retail Consultant, Executive Fellow - Opus College of Business
Private Equity and Strategy Consultant
President and CEO, Allianz Life
SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, SPS Commerce
Vice President, Program Management, Boston Scientific
Managing Director, Global Street Partners
Commercial Strategy & Policy Executive (retired)
Vice President of Healthcare, RGP
Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Transportation and Electronics Business Group, 3M
Vice President R&D, Medtronic
Board Member and Former CEO
Claire Powell Consulting & Coaching
Executive Vice President and General Manager, Opus Development Company, LLC
President and CEO, Allina Health
CIO, Verily Life Sciences, An Alphabet Company
Corporate Vice President, Edwards Lifesciences
Chief Executive Officer, Barton, Walter & Krier, P.C.