Lillian Mills Concluding Tenure as Dean of the McCombs School of Business

After six successful years, Lillian Mills has decided to conclude her tenure as dean of the McCombs School of Business when her term ends on May 31, 2026. A national search will be conducted to identify her successor. After her term, she will return to the Department of Accounting as a distinguished faculty member.

McCombs has flourished under Dean Mills, with numerous degree programs regarded among the best in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report and other rankings. In addition, the school’s entrepreneurship program was recognized for producing top U.S. leaders by Time magazine under Dean Mills’ leadership. As the leader of 700 acclaimed and highly productive faculty and staff members — along with 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students — Dean Mills has overseen a curriculum that reaches across the entire UT student body, with 25% of undergraduate UT students either enrolled as McCombs BBA students or participating in the school’s entrepreneurship program, business minor or certificate programs.

Dean Mills has positioned McCombs for further investment and growth through her dedication to alumni and the careful cultivation of the school’s loyal supporters. Under her guidance, McCombs successfully advanced one of the largest fundraising efforts in UT history by exceeding the initial Mulva Hall building campaign goal.

Dean Mills has overseen the success of several pivotal milestones, including the naming of the Hildebrand MBA Program, Rosenthal Department of Management, Harkey Institute of Undergraduate Entrepreneurship and Langston Wealth Management Center. To enhance the future visual landscape of McCombs, Dean Mills also commissioned art from the UT Landmarks public art program for Mulva Hall and steered the fundraising and selection of art for Rowling Hall.

An award-winning educator and champion for instructional innovation, Dean Mills has been widely regarded for her ability to create successful learning environments. She received the national EY Ray M. Sommerfeld Outstanding Educator Award from the American Taxation Association. Outside of the classroom, Dean Mills has influenced economic policy and law with her research in accounting practices, earnings management, corporate governance, income shifting, tax risk assessment and financial disclosure.

Please join me in celebrating Dean Mills’ extraordinary leadership of McCombs and congratulating her on an impactful tenure as dean. I look forward to her continued partnership in the year ahead as we work to recruit a new dean to lead our world-class school of business.