Wake Forest names Norma Montague interim dean of the School of Business

Norma Montague, the Dale K. Cline Associate Professor of Accountancy, has been named interim dean of the School of Business effective August 1. She recently served as senior associate dean of academic affairs and innovation and brings broad experience and a deep understanding of the School of Business.

“Montague is a highly respected scholar, an award-winning educator, and a trusted leader at Wake Forest,” said President Peter Rodriguez. “With her extensive leadership experience, including her previous tenure as senior associate dean of academic programs, she will bring both strategic insight and dedication to academic excellence to the role.”

From 2021 to 2025, Montague served as senior associate dean of academic programs. Montague provided strategic leadership for curriculum innovation, enrollment management and fundraising to achieve the school’s academic and financial goals. She has overseen curriculum design in the undergraduate program, instructional innovation (including AI-enabled and experiential learning) and cross-school academic initiatives. She also previously served as senior associate dean for the MS in Management program.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the School of Business in this role,” said Montague. “Wake Forest has an extraordinary community of faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners, and I look forward to working alongside them as we continue building on the school’s strong foundation. Together, we will remain focused on providing an exceptional educational experience, supporting our faculty and staff, and preparing the next generation of principled business leaders.”

Montague joined Wake Forest as an assistant professor of accounting in 2010. She holds a Ph.D in business administration and accounting from the University of South Florida and a B.A. and M.A. in accounting from North Carolina State University. Her research focuses on enhancing auditor and investor judgments and on developing innovative teaching techniques for accounting courses. 

Montague has received the American Accounting Association’s Innovation in Auditing and Assurance Education. At Wake Forest, she has been awarded the T. B. Rose Fellowship in Business for innovation in teaching and the School of Business Spirit Award for displaying good citizenship and inspiring other faculty to high achievement. Her work has been featured on the cover of the Journal of Accountancy, and published in other leading academic journals. 

Montague succeeds Stacie Petter, who has served as acting dean since January. Annette Ranft made the decision to step down from her role as Dean of the School of Business and return to the faculty at the conclusion of her academic sabbatical in July 2027.

In the coming months, Wake Forest will initiate a national search for a permanent dean of the School of Business.