Oklahoma Wesleyan University is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Kirk Jackson to the position of Vice President of Business Affairs. He will also serve as a director in OKWU’s Chesapeake Energy School of Business.
Jackson comes to OKWU by way of John Brown University, where he currently serves as Director of Graduate and Online Undergraduate Business Programs and HLC Accreditation Liaison Officer. This move is a return for Jackson, as he previously served as a faculty member, and then Dean, of the Chesapeake Energy School of Business from 2011 to 2015.
“I am excited to return in this dual role,” Jackson said. “Being able to lead Business Affairs as well as develop a new doctoral program is a significant challenge which I hope will help advance the mission of Oklahoma Wesleyan University and the bold vision cast by Dr. Dunn.”
Jackson has worked in Christian higher education since 2007, developing numerous academic programs along the way. He has also served as an accreditation evaluator, focusing on colleges’ and universities’ financial management and operational policy. Before his time in education, he worked as a financial analyst for lending and cash management operations in one of the largest privately held banks in the United States.
“We are delighted that God has called Dr. Kirk Jackson and his family to join Team OKWU,” President Jim Dunn said. “That calling has been evident throughout all of our discussions and has been evident also in the conversations we’ve had regarding this transition and the continuance of Andrea Zepeda in a different role within the university’s business office. I am incredibly grateful for the Lord’s leadership over it all. Kirk also brings a tremendous heart to see the Kingdom of Jesus Christ advance through Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s endeavors.”
Jackson holds a DBA in Finance from Anderson University (IN), an MBA from the University of Oklahoma, and a Master of Accountancy from Emporia State University. He, his wife Rachel, and his son, Daniel, will relocate to the Bartlesville area this summer, and he will begin his role on July 1.
