Durant, Okla. – Southeastern Oklahoma State University has announced the appointment of alumna Dr. Rhonda Richards as Dean of the John Massey School of Business.
Richards has served as Interim Dean of the Massey School – which includes AACSB-accredited business programs, AABI-accredited aviation programs, and BCSP-accredited occupational safety and health programs – since July 2025 when previous dean Dr. David Whitlock was named as interim University President.
She has served as department chair of the Accounting and Finance department since 2022. She has been the John Massey Endowed Chair of Accounting since 2022 and was also previously the Kay Massey Professor of Business from 2020-22. She has held teaching positions at Southeastern for 16 years.
“Dr. Richards has been a leader in her field and outstanding educator, and she will be a fantastic Dean of the John Massey School of Business,” Whitlock said. “As a teacher and administrator, she has been a key figure in our accreditation by the AACSB, which has continued to advance the value of a JMSB Southeastern degree for our graduates. She will continue to push us forward as we show the state, region, nation, and world what Southeastern graduates can accomplish.”
Earlier this year, Richards received the Outstanding Educator Award from the Southwest Case Research Association (SWCRA) at the Federation of Business Disciplines Conference and has won three Distinguished Paper Awards from the SWCRA.
“I’m honored to lead the John Massey School of Business as Dean and continue to serve our students as we educate future leaders in the business world,” Richards said. “As we progress and advance the JMSB and the efforts of our students, alumni, and faculty, I want to thank Dr. Whitlock for his leadership of the JMSB and now of the University as a whole. I have no doubt that future JMSB graduates will continue to push the stature of this school and University even higher.”
Richards also previously served as Dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies at Oklahoma Baptist University from 2014-16 and assistant professor of accounting at Southwest Baptist University from 2002-05. Richards has been recognized by her campus peers as well, earning the Faculty Senate Recognition for Meritorious Service in 2020-21 and the Recognition for Excellence in Teaching in 2018-19.
Richards earned her Bachelor of Science from Southeastern in 1992 with a major in accounting. She earned her Master of Business from Southwest Baptist University in 2002 and Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of North Texas in 2012. Richards is a CPA and CMA and has worked in the accounting field in various capacities for numerous firms for nearly thirty years.
About Southeastern
Founded in 1909, Southeastern Oklahoma State University provides an environment of academic excellence that enables students to reach their highest potential. By having personal access to excellent teaching, challenging academic programs, and extracurricular experiences, students will develop skills and habits that promote values for career preparation, responsible citizenship, and lifelong learning. Our over 6,000 students include 50% first-generation students and 28% students of Native American descent, with 82% receiving financial aid. Southeastern ranks amongst the most affordable schools in the region thanks to out-of-state tuition waivers and is proud of its exceptional affordable accredited MBA program, stellar aerospace and teacher education programs, and outstanding national ranking in graduating Native American students.
