Major Hires Announced To Top Roles In Searcy

A major development has captured the attention of the local community, signaling a significant shift in academic leadership.

Harding University announced that Dr. Phil Brown will serve as dean of the Paul R. Carter College of Business, while Brett Biggs, a former EVP and CFO of Walmart Inc. and Harding alumnus, will take on the role of executive dean of strategy and transformation.

New Dean and Executive Dean Appointed

The announcement was made by Harding University on its news site. It highlights a partnership between the college and a prominent retail executive. The details were released on October 28, 2026.

Dr. Phil Brown will assume the position of dean for the Paul R. Carter College of Business. His background includes extensive experience in academia and administration. Specific qualifications were not detailed in the release.

Brett Biggs will serve as executive dean of strategy and transformation. He previously held the roles of EVP and CFO at Walmart Inc. His connection to Harding is as an alumnus, though further information about his plans is not yet known.

The university provided a link for further information at https://news.harding.edu/2026/10/college-of-business-dean-announcement.html. No additional commentary from the individuals was included. Any future initiatives remain to be announced.

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