Robert Mayfield Yawson

Award-winning scholar, academic leader, and professor with a distinguished record of research, teaching, institutional governance, and professional service. Currently serving as the Dean and Professor of Business Administration at the School of Business and Professional Studies at Truman State University. Has over 13 years of progressive higher education administrative experience, including Dean, Department Chair, Faculty Senate Chair, and member of the Board of Trustees. Research program centers on organizational effectiveness through the “wicked problem construct,” systems approach to human resource development, AI-augmented leadership, nested complexity, and workforce development for emerging technologies. Published 56 peer-reviewed journal articles and editorials, 2 books, 6 book chapters, and 80+ peer-reviewed conference papers. Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Organization Management Journal and editorial board member for five additional journals. Experienced across the full spectrum of undergraduate, MBA, and doctoral instruction, with several doctoral dissertation committee memberships. Recipient of the 2025 Marilyn Y. Byrd Excellence in HRD Research Award, Fellow and President-Elect of the Eastern Academy of Management, and multiple university awards for scholarship, teaching, and service.