Before he officially begins his new role on March 1, Mooradian took some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for UofL News. 

You have been at the College of William and Mary School of Business Administration since 1990. What did you see at the University of Louisville’s College of Business that attracted you to apply for the dean position?

I was initially attracted to the position at the University of Louisville because it is an important, national research university and the opportunity to lead the College of Business at Louisville is the sort of challenge I wanted and felt I’d prepared for. But as much as the University and the College have in the way of strengths and important work to do, it ended up being the people who really sold me on Louisville. In my first meeting with the search committee and then later during my extended visits to campus, I met great people with terrific abilities and important aspirations for their College. I am honored to have been offered the chance to lead the College and to work with these people – the students, the faculty, and the partners of the College of Business – and I have a strong sense that it’s going to be a lot of good hard work and a lot of fun.

What programs makes the UofL College of Business stand out? Is there anything you are thinking about adding?

It’s important to note at the start that the College has an important mission that includes “[enhancing] the intellectual and economic vitality of our city, the region, and the broader business community.” We deliver value to students, to the economy, and to the academy. That’s a compelling reason for being and all our programs and all our people contribute to it every day – they should and they do. Our world-class faculty, our terrific and hardworking staff – they’re all coming in every day and helping move our students, our city, and our region forward. It was clear to me in every conversation that the people of the College of Business are deeply committed to those goals and are passionate in pursuing them.

That being said – that every program is essential in fulfilling our mission – it is possible to look at niches of particular distinction. The College’s well-known emphasis on entrepreneurship is an important strength, and a timely one. The world is looking for graduates who can think entrepreneurially and recognize opportunities, whether in new ventures or as members of existing organizations. The Equine Business programs are also a rare and valuable resource that the College can and will leverage.

I also see the College of Business as being distinctive in the creation of new knowledge – that is, in doing important and impactful research. The faculty are doing incredibly interesting research at Louisville and we need to find ways to invest more in that knowledge creation; it’s part of our mission and it’s vital to the economy and the world.

Are there things I’m thinking of adding? I certainly believe that, in business education, new ways to deliver important value to students and businesses are emerging all the time and we’ll need to refresh our product portfolio both by revising existing curricula and by launching new degree and non-degree programs. Those have to originate in the organization – from faculty capabilities and school strengths – and they have to be owned broadly, not brought in from outside. So yes, I am thinking of adding new things and launching new initiatives, but I don’t come to Louisville knowing specifically what those will be. I come knowing the process needed to facilitate great new things: we have to build the structures and support, the culture, and the expectations for people to envision new and innovative things and then for them to feel supported to pursue those great ideas.

You have won several teaching excellence awards and also a student advising award. Do you plan to teach at UofL? If so, what subjects?

I won’t teach right away – I’d love to but I won’t have the time. As you note, I was an award-winning teacher and adviser – that was very gratifying and a very important part of my life; I miss it – but for the first year and maybe longer, I’ll be focused on moving the school ahead and on enabling others to do great teaching and great research.

If I do get back to teaching I will teach marketing strategy. I wrote the Pearson/Prentice-Hall textbook on Strategic Marketing and I enjoy teaching it.

What do you do in your spare time? Any hobbies?

When I am not working it’s likely that you can still find me somewhere on campus. I really enjoy being part of a university and its culture. I grew up a block from campus at the University of New Hampshire where my father was a football coach and then the athletic director and my mother was a librarian. I’ve almost always worked and lived on a campus. So whether it is supporting our student-athletes at Cardinal sporting events, attending cultural activities, or engaging alumni, my family and I find that being deeply engaged in the life of a university and all that it offers is part of “who we are.”  

If I am not on campus, chances are that I am attending one of my daughters’ events. I enjoy being a dad to two wonderful girls. With our younger in 10th grade, I only have so many more school activities left. While it is true that if I never see another hard-plastic bleacher seat I won’t miss it, one of the most rewarding parts of my life will always be the time I’ve spent supporting the girls in their pursuits.

As a family, we enjoy traveling and we have been fortunate to have lived in Europe for two extended semester-long stays. I still travel to Europe to consult and teach at least once a year.

Individually, I enjoy reading, mostly business books, biographies, or crime mysteries. I also enjoy biking for health and sanity and am pleased that Louisville is such a bike-friendly city with wonderful parks and trails to explore.

Louisville is a vibrant city with award-winning restaurants, many family-friendly activities and, of course, in addition to all of UofL’s outstanding athletic teams, we’re home to the Kentucky Derby. Have you ever been to the Kentucky Derby?

No, I haven’t been to the Derby although it is something that has always been on my “bucket list.”  It’s an important cultural event that anyone who loves sports would be thrilled to attend. I look forward to the 143^rd Run for the Roses!

Jenkins was selected as a Hartford Faculty Scholar in 2007 and an ACE Fellow through the American Council on ����ֱ�� in 2010. He has served on the Council on Social Work ����ֱ�� (CSWE) Board of Directors, co-chair of the CSWE Council on Sexual Orientation and Gender Expression, and as a member of the Council for Diversity and Social and Economic Justice, the Council for Leadership Development, and the Council on Conferences and Faculty Development.

Jenkins received his BS and MSW from Louisiana State University and his PhD from Florida State University. He took time out of his busy schedule to talk to UofL News about how he ended up at the Kent School, his goals as dean and his love of tennis. 

UofL News: What was the trajectory that led you into social work?

Jenkins: I grew up believing I was going to become a medical doctor, but learned in college that this was not a good fit for me. Not knowing much about options for study, I picked Business Administration as my new major. My father had newly acquired a business and I believed I might find some success working with him. After I had worked at the business a few years, my father decided to sell the business and I was again left wondering where to proceed. I decided to get some career testing and was encouraged to look into the field of Social Work. Having never really heard much about it, I went and interviewed a few people who were social workers. I quickly realized this was a good choice for me and soon enrolled in graduate school.

UofL News: What practice experiences did you have prior to moving into education and administrative roles?

Jenkins: My Social Work practice experience has been mostly clinical. My specialization is in family therapy.  I have often been interested in what micro practice therapies are effective and how best to intervene with clients. I worked in a marriage and family clinic, a group practice, and also in a family service center. I ran a drug and alcohol treatment facility and I also had my own counseling private practice.

UofL News: Any particular populations of interest, research areas of interest?

Jenkins: Much of my research has focused on the marginalization of individuals and families. I have a particular interest in the lived experiences of gays and lesbians in their families. A related, newer project that has been rewarding is one where we are interviewing older transgender adults about their relationships.

UofL News: What attracted you to the Kent School?

Jenkins: Actually, many things attracted me to the Kent School. I knew Terry Singer (the previous dean of the Kent School) and a couple of faculty members who all spoke highly of UofL and encouraged me to apply for the open position. I knew I wanted to find a place that valued both teaching and research and believed the Kent School did a nice job balancing these areas. I was attracted as I read that many of the faculty were extremely productive and were making an impact in their areas of research. Having a background in family therapy, I was attracted to the CFT (Couple and Family Therapy) Program at UofL. I had also visited Louisville in the past and liked the city. I was raised in the South and Louisville had a lot of the charm and feeling of my upbringing. All of these things attracted me to the Kent School.

UofL News: What have you identified so far as your general plans for the Kent School?

Jenkins: Probably the easiest way to summarize what I would like to do is to raise the profile of the Kent School. I think we have an excellent series of programs, and I want to join the efforts of the faculty and staff to strengthen each of our programs. I am convinced that more people need to know about the great things happening here at the Kent School. I’m also trying to get to know the faculty and staff better and see if my early impressions fit with what they believe needs to happen at the school.

UofL News: What do you love so far about Louisville?

Jenkins: Coming from Texas, my family and I have greatly enjoyed the summer weather. To me, this has been a mild summer. I have also enjoyed learning about and experimenting with all of the excellent places to eat. I do enjoy the friendly people of the city. Everyone has been extremely kind to us since we arrived.

UofL News: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Jenkins: My husband, son, and I are all big fans of tennis. We like to play as often as possible. We also enjoy traveling. Whether I like it or not (and I mostly like it), fixing up our home has become a big part of my spare time.