Fidelis Ikem is the new dean of the College of Business at Jackson State University in Mississippi. Dr. Ikem is seeking to improve the College of Business by engaging faculty and students with the local business community, building more partnerships with corporations and organizations, increasing internship and employment opportunities, and creating new degree programs.
Dr. Ikem stated that “I think, with the help of the fantastic faculty and staff here, we can take this college to a new level. Everything we do revolves around our students and preparing them for a career in business. Student performance is what makes us a great institution. If our students don’t perform well in the workplace, we look terrible, but when they do well in the workforce, Jackson State has no other choice but to shine.”
Prior to joining Jackson State, Dr. Ikem was dean and full professor in the College of Business at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Earlier in his career. Dr. Iken held faculty posts at Albany State University in Georgia, Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Virginia State University, and Norfolk State University in Virginia.
Dr. Ikem holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a master’s degree in mathematical sciences from Clemson University in South Carolina. He earned a second master’s degree and a Ph.D. in operations research from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
