Deans Counsel

Deans Counsel


77: Nate Sharp (Texas A&M) on Launching Flex On-Line Masters Programs

December 12, 2025

On this episode of Deans Counsel, hosts Dave Ikenberry and Ken Kring speak with Nate Sharp, the Dean of Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, where he is leading the school through a period of historic growth and innovation. His tenure has been marked by record-setting fundraising, the first media campaign to enhance Mays’ national reputation, the opening of the first new building at Mays in more than two decades, and the launch of an ambitious graduate facility project slated for completion in early 2029. Just as importantly, he has prioritized investment in faculty and staff, building strong teams and fostering a culture of recognizing and rewarding excellence in research, teaching, and service. 


Nate is a respected scholar in the area of financial reporting, and his research has received multiple best-paper awards. As you'll learn in this episode, he believes the future of business education belongs to leaders who embrace change, take risks, and stay true to their institution’s values.


In this engaging discussion, Nate shares his unique insights on Deaning, covering topics such as:


- Dealing with resistance to change 

- Building state-of-the-art On-line masters programs

- Visiting deans at aspiring schools 

- The Texas political climate 


Learn more about Nate Sharp.


Comments/criticism/suggestions/feedback? We'd love to hear it. Drop us a note.


Thanks for listening.


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Produced by Joel Davis at Analog Digital Arts


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DEANS COUNSEL: A podcast for deans and academic leadership.


James Ellis | Moderator | Dean of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (2007-2019)


David Ikenberry | Moderator | Dean of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado-Boulder (2011-2016)


Ken Kring | Moderator | Co-Managing Director, Global Education Practice and Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry


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