Asbury University announces new Dean for Dayton School of Business

August 30, 2022

WILMORE, Ky. — Dr. Alesha Graves will serve as the next Dean for the Dayton School of Business (DSB). As Dean, Graves will lead the DSB through a process of strategic visioning to further enhance the faculty and student experience, and advance the DSB as it heads into its innovative new facility in the Walt and Rowena Shaw Collaborative Learning Center (Shaw CLC).

Graves joined the Asbury community full-time in 2016 as an assistant professor. She was promoted to associate professor in 2022. Graves holds a D.B.A. from George Fox University and a M.S. in Accounting from the University of Connecticut. She is a Certified Public Accountant in Kentucky since 2001 with professional experience at Dean Dorton, PLLC, and Crowe Horwath, LLP. Graves taught at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College, Mount St. Joseph University and Liberty University. Her research interests include Nonprofit Financial Management, Stewardship and Stewardship Theory and Accounting Education. 

Asbury University President Dr. Kevin Brown, shared about Dr. Graves’ commitment to the Dayton School of Business. “Dr. Graves is a proven professional, incredibly talented, intellectually gifted, and a collaborative leader. She has a compelling vision for Christian education, is loved and admired by faculty and students, but most importantly—is incredibly humble.”

Those who have worked closely with Graves recognize her as a grace-filled leader focused on partnership and consistency. Her leadership style is rooted in stewardship theory and servant leadership. With a desire to work collaboratively, Graves states her commitment to “respect and value each person as uniquely called, gifted, and equipped by God.” She declares, that “we are designed to effectively work together to advance His kingdom.

Graves shared her excitement about the Shaw CLC opening this fall and the opportunities it will present for her students — both on campus and off campus. The Dayton School of Business has a robust offering on undergraduate and graduate programs, including an MBA with a Nonprofit Management emphasis.  

“We now have a dedicated sales training suite, an innovation lab that can be utilized to develop and implement new products and services, and a finance lab that will provide students with the opportunity to put into practice what they learn in the classroom. Exciting times are ahead for the Dayton School of Business, and I am honored to be at the helm of it.”