Kutztown University has named Dr. Jeffrey Wehrung as associate dean of the College of Business. Wehrung comes to KU after 10 years at Black Hills State University and began at KU Aug. 3.
Wehrung served at Black Hills State University, Spearfish, South Dakota, since 2012. In his recent role as special assistant to the Provost, Wehrung was responsible for the coordination of academic programs for a new location at the Ellsworth Air Force Base, the transition of support for the Hospitality and Business Center and oversaw curriculum development for the Healthcare Administration program.
“I have traveled the country and regardless of where I lived, Pennsylvania has always been my home,” Wehrung said. “Two of my great-grandmothers attended Kutztown, back when it was a teacher’s college, and the university has always played such an important role in the region.
“This is an especially exciting time for the College of Business at KU,” Wehrung continued. “Putting students first sometimes requires flipping old industry norms on their head. The new stackable MBA model is designed to address workforce needs in data-analytics, leadership and strategic decision-making, preparing students for jobs that did not exist a decade ago. This is the type of bold innovation the region needs and will set KU apart as a leader in the area.”
Dr. Wehrung was previously chair of the School of Business at Black Hills from 2018-2021, where he oversaw all full-time and adjunct business faculty serving students across two locations. Wehrung’s primary responsibilities included leading the strategic plan, setting annual goals, participating in fundraising, recruiting and training new faculty, representing the university to the business community and guiding Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation.
Wehrung’s efforts as chair led to a 15% increase in credit hour production, significant alumni support for the entrepreneurship program, formation of regional and international partnerships and the construction of a new finance lab.
Wehrung was also an associate professor of Entrepreneurship, a provost fellow and the director of the Center for Business, Entrepreneurship and Tourism (CBET) while at Black Hills. Before joining administration, Wehrung was highly involved with shared governance, serving five years on Faculty Senate as a College Representative, Secretary and Senate Vice President.
“I am pleased to welcome Jeff to the leadership team in the College of Business,” said Dr. Anne Carroll, dean of the College of Business. “The combination of his professional, academic and leadership experience will be valuable in moving the College of Business forward so that we continue to meet the needs of students and employers.”
Prior to his academic career, Wehrung was Quality Assurance Manager for multiple precast concrete and concrete pipe manufacturing facilities, as well as a sales engineer in the wastewater treatment industry. He is a board member and advisor to various businesses in the precast concrete and construction supply industries and consults in the formation of leadership development and employee retention programs.
Wehrung earned his Master of Science in Management and his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from the University of Texas at Austin. Wehrung also received an MBA in Human Resource Management from Brigham Young University and a Bachelor’s in Engineering and Technology Management from Brown University.