After serving in the position for 12 years, Penn State Smeal College of Business Dean Charles Whiteman announced his retirement Monday. He’ll step down from the role effective June 30, 2024.

Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost Justin Schwartz said a national search for the college’s next dean will begin soon, according to a release.

Whiteman entered the role as the Smeal College of Business’ dean in 2012 and oversaw 6,000 students, 275 faculty and staff, and six academic departments. During Whiteman’s tenure, Smeal expanded to include seven one-year residential speciality master’s degrees, nine online master’s degrees, an executive doctorate in business administration degree, and 15 online graduate certificates.

“Leading the Smeal College of Business for the past 12 years has been the highlight of my long and very rewarding career in higher education,” Whiteman said in a release. “When I accepted this position back in 2012, I had every reason to believe that I would be joining a University committed to excellence and a college of business with the potential to soar to new heights. But I could have never anticipated the level of pride and passion that I have observed among our faculty, staff and alumni each and every day.”

Whiteman is also credited with the launch of Saxby’s learning café in the Business Building, the creation of the Nittany Lion Consulting Group, and the initiative to create the Smeal College of Business Fundamentals Certificate.

“The Smeal College of Business has experienced tremendous growth and transformation over the last dozen years thanks to Dean Whiteman’s leadership,” Schwartz said. “…It is because of his vision that the college is well prepared for continued success and a bright future under a new leader. I want to thank Chuck for his many years of service and dedication to Penn State and wish him a long and happy retirement.”

Whiteman earned his undergraduate degree from Kansas and a doctorate in economics from Minnesota. He served as the senior associate dean of Iowa’s college of business before joining Penn State’s staff.