Payne said his goal is to strengthen leadership development programs for aspiring and new deans
Thomas Payne, dean of Tennessee Tech University’s College of Business, has been selected as the 2026 president of the Southern Business Administration Association (SBAA), one of the nation’s most prestigious and longest-standing regional organizations for business school leaders.
Payne, who has led Tech’s College of Business since 2015, will assume the presidency following years of active involvement in SBAA, including his service on the board of directors since 2020.
Founded in 1964, SBAA’s 144 member institutions range from large public universities to small private institutions. They are mostly located across the southeastern U.S., but membership also includes institutions located elsewhere throughout the country and in Canada.
“It is an honor to give back to an outstanding organization that has helped me and many of my colleagues become better leaders,” Payne said.
Expressing his appreciation for the trust his fellow deans have placed in him, Payne attributed the opportunity to serve to the outstanding work of the Tech College of Business’s faculty, staff, students and graduates.
“It takes a great team to build a strong reputation. From our industry-relevant academic programs and applied research, to our innovative iCube, Student Success and Small Business Development Centers, our people are the best,” Payne added.
During his time on the board and now as president, Payne said his goal is to strengthen leadership development programs for aspiring and new deans – a commitment that is informed by his own experiences as dean and as a frequent chair of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) peer review teams for business colleges.
This year marks his 10th anniversary as dean of Tech’s College of Business — a significant milestone in a field where the average tenure for business deans nationwide is closer to three years. He explained that developmental programs and peer-to-peer mentoring for business school deans are integral to his vision for SBAA, which aims to help leaders and their schools achieve greater success.
Tech’s College of Business has also earned recognition within SBAA for its innovative programs and societal impact. Tech faculty and staff regularly present at SBAA conferences, including recent sessions by the College’s iCube Center, which offers marketing solutions to businesses, governments and other organizations. The team is engaged in state and national marketing campaigns focusing on highway safety, opioid abuse, environmental sustainability and diabetes prevention.
Payne said he is energized by the momentum of the College of Business’s can-do culture. This year, program development is being informed, and industry partnerships are being broadened through “listening tours” with alumni and employers.
And, thanks to the leadership of its Student Success and Professional Readiness and Leadership Centers, the college recently took home an award for its “Level-Up” program, which gamifies professional readiness by challenging students to master essential communication, teamwork and leadership skills.
The College is also seeing an increase in scholarly activities. “Our faculty are producing more research than ever before — and that has led to many high-quality publications and enhanced our academic reputation,” said Payne. “This contributes to their knowledge and currency in their fields of expertise, which they take back to the classroom. Ultimately, it is all about providing students with a world-class education and personalized mentorship, and that says a lot about our faculty.”
Payne’s new role comes at a time when the College of Business is undergoing a complete renovation of its longtime home in Johnson Hall. Renovations will include a new multistory entrance, a more open floor plan that accommodates common areas for students, and additional square footage dedicated to interactive learning spaces. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2027.
“From our classrooms to our community partnerships, the College of Business is growing because of our people,” Payne said. “The opportunity to serve as SBAA president in 2026 is one more affirmation of the strength of Tennessee Tech’s College of Business and the impact we are making.”
Photo courtesy of Tech.
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