Susan D. Carver

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Susan D. Carver has been appointed assistant dean of The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce with primary responsibility for the Manderson Graduate School of Business.

In her new position, Carver will assume responsibilities for the business school’s graduate programs, including the Master of Business Administration, Executive Master of Business Administration, and Executive Education programs. Her appointment is part of a reorganization of the graduate school of business.

“We are privileged to have someone with Susan’s proven management capabilities to take on these responsibilities,” said Dr. Rob Ingram, senior associate dean of the business school. “This will allow us to develop a more cohesive and synergistic graduate program under a single banner and brand.”

Carver earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration from UA and has extensive industry experience. She served in management roles in the insurance industry, and after completing her M.B.A. she worked in the textile industry for Springs Industries where she worked in strategic planning and mergers and acquisitions.

Carver was also the director of e-commerce at Springs Industries before returning to UA. She is involved with the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa, is president of the Tuscaloosa County Alumni Association and has served on other boards including the Nashville Alumni Association, Cystic Fibrosis and Young Leader's Council. She also has served leadership teams at several churches.

“The faculty and staff have worked hard over the years to maintain and increase the reputation of our graduate program, and we will continue to build that reputation,” Carver said. “Our focus will be on increasing the value of a graduate business degree from The University of Alabama.

“Our vision has not changed: We are about a very attractive return on investment; taking talented students and giving them the experiences and tools to make them more marketable; and continuing to solidify the work ethic that only an M.B.A. at Alabama can understand. We all meet thousands of M.B.A.s in our careers, but I am proud to say that I rarely see one of our students out-worked.

“We plan to shift our focus to our external constituents. We have brought recruiters and alumni to our campus for years. We now must go out to where the recruiters are and tell our story and take our brightest students to them so that they can see first hand just how good we are.”

The graduate school has been ranked ninth in investment recapture by Forbes; No. 31 among public M.B.A. programs by US News & World Report; No. 5 for best faculty by Princeton Review and No. 4 for best administration and facilities by Princeton Review.