Trevor Brown was named interim dean of The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business on July 1, taking over for Anil Makhija who served in the role for 10 years before returning to Fisher’s Department of Finance.

Brown is no stranger to higher education leadership, as he currently serves as dean of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs ― a role he’s held since 2015. Additionally, Brown has served as senior advisor to Ohio State’s provost, as executive dean of the university’s professional colleges, and in various leadership roles throughout Glenn’s ascendance to a named college. From 2016-2018, he also served as a research fellow at the National Center for the Middle Market, which is housed at Fisher.

After getting settled in his new ­― albeit temporary ― role as dean of two colleges, Brown spent some time sharing a little about himself with the Fisher community.

1. What has you excited about serving as the interim dean at Fisher?

Fisher is such an impressive college. Dean Makhija, the Fisher leadership team and Fisher’s faculty and staff have done a tremendous job designing and delivering world-class academic programs for thousands of students. Fisher’s faculty produce cutting-edge, impactful research. And Fisher’s centers connect much of the good work done at Fisher to companies across industries.

The primary job of being a dean is to serve the university, its students, faculty, staff, alumni and external stakeholders. I’m motivated to help others succeed. In my role as interim dean, I am excited to ensure that all the good work everyone is doing continues so that we can set Fisher’s next permanent dean up for success.

My primary research before entering academic leadership focused on government contracting and acquisition. I’m interested in understanding how governments can make markets work effectively, and governments and firms can partner to deliver win-win outcomes. Fisher is field-leading in logistics and supply chain management.  Who knows ― I might learn some things during the short time I’m here that will inform my future research.

2. What can all the various members of our college community ― students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners ― expect from you during this time of transition?

While I’m not a medical doctor, I’m taking the Hippocratic oath of “do no harm.” So many things are working well at Fisher that my primary task is to ensure that strong programs in teaching and learning, research, and outreach and engagement continue seamlessly. I’ll also be looking to partner with Fisher’s leadership team, faculty and staff to continue to align Fisher’s programs and operations with university priorities. Under President Carter’s leadership, our land grant mission is the north star. Fundamentally, I’ll be working with folks to advance Fisher’s mission and set the table for the next dean’s success.

3. What first attracted you to higher education, and what has kept you in it?

I was lucky to have parents who were professors. Both went into academic administration. I understood what tenure was before I was 10 years old. I learned a lot of things from my parents, but two of the most important lessons centered around higher education. First, the pursuit of knowledge and the application of knowledge for the betterment of society is a worthy calling. Second, working to create the conditions for others to succeed (in this case, being an academic administrator) is rewarding. It provided fulfillment for them, and it has been the same for me.

4. You’ve spent more than 10 years as a faculty member at Ohio State. What is it about being a Buckeye that’s so special for so many?

I was attracted to Ohio State as a young faculty member in 2001 because of its comprehensive excellence, land grant mission and location in a growing metropolitan area in a state of significance.  I grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, home to Indiana University, so I was well aware of the commitment that many people have to universities. I had no idea, though, of how deep that commitment can run until I joined Ohio State. We joke about “OH-IO” and the power of Buckeye nation. I’ve been here long enough to feel it deeply. Buckeyes pay it forward by looking out for each other and the larger community. I’m proud to be a part of that tradition.

5. What’s something that the Fisher community may not know about you?

I played rugby for 15 years and have coached men’s and women’s teams at two universities. Rugby is a tremendously challenging sport, requiring a lot of each player physically and mentally. Ultimately, though, it’s a team sport. While anyone can run, kick, pass, tackle or score, nothing gets done without teammates. I approach being a dean in the same way I approach coaching ― I encourage players to develop their skills and strengthen their mental toughness in service to a team goal. You get better by working together.