Huntington University Hires Dr. Aaron Wilkinson as Chair of Department of Business and Economics

Wilkinson selected to lead undergraduate and graduate programs in business and economics

HUNTINGTON, Ind. — Huntington University has selected Dr. Aaron Wilkinson as its new chair of the Department of Business and Economics, directing the department at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Wilkinson brings a distinctive blend of academic leadership, administrative experience and student-centered teaching to the role.

Wilkinson steps into a thriving program, with the Department of Business and Economics being one of the University’s most highly enrolled programs, including a record number of new students enrolling in the department’s majors in the fall of 2025.

The department includes undergraduate programs in accounting, economics and finance, entrepreneurship, management, marketing and sport management and a Master of Business Administration graduate program.

“Dr. Wilkinson brings a proven leadership track record in Christian higher education,” said Dr. Luke Fetters, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty. “He brings a commitment to continue and enhance Huntington University’s strong reputation for equipping the next generation of business leaders for our region.”

Wilkinson holds a PhD in organizational leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University, as well as a Master of Arts degree in intercultural studies from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts degree in religious studies from Gardner-Webb University.

Wilkinson’s teaching portfolio includes courses in ethics, leading change, organizational behavior, communication, power and conflict management and leadership in complex environments. He has also written curriculum for multiple university courses and served on doctoral and ministry project committees, reflecting his commitment to faculty collaboration and student development. A published scholar, Wilkinson has contributed work on resilience, servant leadership and business ethics, and he has presented at conferences on leadership, employee resilience, organizational change and innovative teaching practices.

Wilkinson most recently served as graduate business programs director and assistant professor of organizational leadership at the University of Saint Francis, where he taught graduate and undergraduate courses, managed adjunct faculty, advised students and oversaw graduate business curriculum. Prior to that, he served for more than five years as vice president of operations and enrollment at Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan, where he led recruitment, marketing, enrollment, retention, student services and partnership development.

In addition to his academic and administrative work, he is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church and brings a values-driven approach to leadership, mentoring and higher education.

Wilkinson joins Cindy DiGenova, Troy Irick, Dr. David Lewis, Dr. Ann McPherren and Dr. Brock Zehr on the department’s faculty.