CIU Names Director of Business & Organizational Leadership Program

CIU Names Director of Business & Organizational Leadership Program

Dr. Benjamin P. Dean

An executive, attorney and former Army ranger has been named the director of the Business & Organizational Leadership program at Columbia International University (CIU) in Columbia, S.C.

Dr. Benjamin P. Dean comes to CIU with extensive organizational leadership experience with not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, experience as an attorney in the private and public sector, and experience in ministry outreach including humanitarian and charitable projects.  In the U.S. Army, Dean achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel where he was assigned to the Pentagon and a multinational NATO unit in Europe.  

Most recently, Dean served as an executive with PIONEERS International, focusing on international missions outreach and humanitarian projects.  He has also developed leadership projects with Global Leadership Consultant in Geneva, Switzerland, focusing on public policy issues relevant to national leaders in emerging nations.  His interest in law and public policy has also taken Dean to the White House where he served President George H.W. Bush as assistant counsel to the president.

CIU Provost Dr. James Lanpher says Dean’s extensive and diverse resume makes him the ideal candidate to direct the Business & Organizational Leadership program at CIU.

“The Business & Organizational Leadership program equips students for positions in the marketplace of entrepreneurial and corporate America and nongovernmental organizations around the world.  Dr. Benjamin Dean has experience in all those areas,” Lanpher said.  “He will offer a wealth of knowledge to our students and offer solid direction as we continue to grow and strengthen the program.”            

Dean holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., a law degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a law degree in federal and military law from The Judge Advocate General’s School in Charlottesville, Va.

Dean begins his duties at CIU on Jan. 1, 2012.  His appointment comes as CIU begins the process of seeking approval from its accreditation agencies to move the Business & Organizational Leadership program from a minor to a major.