Ron Watkins
Associate Dean, Strategic Innovation
Ron Watkins is associate dean of strategic innovation, a position he has held since 2017. He first joined the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as director of Illinois Business Consulting in 2007. Between 2012-2017 he served as senior assistant dean with various responsibilities across Gies College of Business. He has also been a lecturer in the Business Administration Department since 2008. Watkins was a US Army Armor officer, later worked in industry for over 10 years, and started three companies: a consulting firm, a trucking company, and a logistics brokerage. He continues to serves as a management consultant for numerous companies, both public and private. Watkins has also been a visiting lecturer at other universities, including Beijing JiaoTong University, Colorado University, and Millkin University. He received a BA in business and communications from Eastern Illinois University in 1996 and an MBA in 2003 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is currently pursuing a PhD in the College of Applied Health Sciences.
Contact
1033 C Business Instructional Facility
515 Gregory Dr
Champaign, IL 61820
Listings
Educational Background
- MBA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003
- B.A., Business and Communications, Eastern Illinois University, 1996
Positions Held
- Associate Vice President, University of Illinois, 2021 to present
- Managing Director, Shield Illinois, 2020-2023
- Associate Dean, Strategic Innovation, Gies College of Business, University of Illinois, 2017 to present
- Visiting Lecturer, Colorado University, 2014-2016
- Visiting Lecturer, Beijing Jiaotong University, 2013-2016
- Senior Assistant Dean, Business Career Services, University of Illinois, 2012-2017
- Management Consultant, Union Pacific, John Deere, State Farm, All State, Abbott, Navistar, Northwestern Mutual, SJ Grand, Wiers International, Atkins Group, Celedon, Birky Farms, Rainbow Transportation, 2008 to present
- Visiting Lecturer of Business Administration, Business Administration, University of Illinois, 2007-2019
- Director Illinois Business Consulting, University of Illinois, 2007-2011
- Principle, RSW Consulting, 2004-2007
- Wifi Strategy Manager, AT&T, 2003-2004
- Downstream Plant Manager, Tyco Electronics, 2000-2001
- Captain, US Army, 1996-2000
Honors and Awards
- Fellow, President’s Executive Leadership Program (PELP), 2021 to present
- Presidential Medallion, University of Illinois, 2021 to present
Current Courses
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Program Capstone (MBA 591) This course is the final course of the University of Illinois iMBA degree and is designed to bridge the 'knowing – doing' gap, challenging students to apply their iMBA courses, work experience, industry acumen, business knowledge and skills. Students will work through a case study in which the deliverables for each module will build upon one another. The course culminates with the final case presentation.
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Program Capstone (MBA 598) This course is the final course of the University of Illinois iMBA degree and is designed to bridge the 'knowing – doing' gap, challenging students to apply their iMBA courses, work experience, industry acumen, business knowledge and skills. Students will work through a case study in which the deliverables for each module will build upon one another. The course culminates with the final case presentation.
Contact
1033 C Business Instructional Facility
515 Gregory Dr
Champaign, IL 61820