A new dean has been selected for the College of Business.

Ronald P. Hill will replace Labh Hira, who served as interim business dean since 2001 when Benjamin Allen took a job as interim vice president for external affairs. Allen will serve as provost-designate during the search to replace Rollin Richmond.

Hill will begin his duties July 1.

Hill comes to Iowa State from the University of Portland, Ore. He has also held posts at Villanova University and The American University.

“Dean Hill is the type of dean that will bring the exposure to the College of Business that it deserves,” said Russell Laczniak, professor and chair of the Marketing Department.

“Dean Hill has the experience, vision, and energy to provide exceptional leadership to the college,” Allen said. “He is very passionate about the opportunity, and this will be obvious to all. He understands the importance of the having `theory with practice’ as a guiding principle of the college.”

Allen said Hill understands the importance of quality research, having done such work himself.

“Hill’s research examines issues such as ethics in business, global poverty and the technological divide, as well as behavior and accessibility of consumers with impairments,” Allen said.

His most recent publications have included “Stalking the Poverty Consumer: A Retrospective of Modern Ethical Dilemmas” and “How can Retailers Enhance Accessibility? Giving Consumers with Visual Impairments a Voice in the Marketplace.