Dr. Cicely Jefferson Named Dean, DBU College of Business

Dallas Baptist University announced today that Dr. Cicely S. Jefferson has been named Dean of the College of Business at Dallas Baptist University. Dr. Jefferson brings extensive experience and vision to her new position as dean, and she will enhance DBU’s longstanding commitment to upholding the highest regard for academic scholarship while challenging students to apply faith and biblical values in the marketplace.

"We could look the world over for a dean of the College of Business and not find a better candidate to follow the extraordinary leadership of Dr. Stephen Mansfield than the exceptionally qualified individual God brought to the DBU Family years ago," explained DBU President, Dr. Adam C. Wright. "Dr. Jefferson is a sterling example of a business professional who has earned recognition for her many achievements in the legal field while at the same time demonstrating humble and bold leadership as a godly servant of Christ.

Prior to serving at DBU as assistant dean of the College of Business and assistant professor in business law, Dr. Jefferson excelled as an attorney for the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration for over fifteen years.

During her tenure with the Department of Homeland Security, Dr. Jefferson litigated employment law cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Merit Systems Protection Board, and Federal Court. As an Assistant Regional Counsel for the Social Security Administration, she litigated social security disability and employment law cases and successfully argued cases before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Dr. Jefferson also handled Title IX cases as an investigator, representative, and Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Throughout her legal career, Dr. Jefferson received several awards for outstanding litigation and advocacy skills, including Trial Attorney of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Litigation matters.

"We are extremely proud that Dr. Jefferson has agreed to lead our College of Business to the next level of academic and professional success and serve as a world-class model for developing servant leaders in both the global marketplace and Kingdom work," explained Dr. Norma Hedin, DBU Provost.

The College of Business at Dallas Baptist University prepares students to impact global business by integrating faith-driven values and mastery of various business disciplines. As dean, Dr. Jefferson will spearhead a proven team of faculty and staff with a reputation in business education for developing exceptional servant leaders who make significant and ethical contributions to corporate enterprise in the DFW Metroplex and beyond. The College of Business offers seven major fields of undergraduate studies, multiple MBA programs, and innovative, collaborative opportunities in global business.

"The faculty and staff in the College of Business are committed to providing an educational experience that is innovative, experiential, service-oriented, and relationship-driven," Dr. Jefferson explained of her role as dean. "The business and legal sector is in desperate need of Christian professionals who represent high moral and ethical standards while also possessing the skills, knowledge, and abilities to meet the demands of these industries. I believe it is critical to our mission at DBU that we teach students how to achieve success without compromising their ethics and moral values. Therefore, we prepare students to bring a strong moral compass and high ethical standards for careers in business by instilling in them a desire to pursue Kingdom wisdom and excellence in all they do."

Dr. Jefferson has co-facilitated DBU faculty workshops on academic integrity, student engagement, and crisis leadership. In addition, she was a speaker at the 2024 Nexus Ministry Leadership Conference and Dallas Baptist Association’s Leadership Conference and was recently featured on LinkedIn for Women’s History Month. She has also served on the Piper Committee at DBU, as well as the Remote Work Taskforce and Strategic Planning Committees.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs and Administration from the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Jefferson earned a Master of Business Administration and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University. She then completed her doctoral degree in Philosophy of Leadership Studies at DBU.

Dr. Jefferson is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Christian Business Faculty Association. She was ordained to the ministry by Concord Church, serving full-time on staff as Connections Pastor for seven years, and regularly serves as a resource to others by mentoring student-athletes and young women, providing pro bono legal services to those in need, volunteering in her church, and enjoying time with her family in Cedar Hill, Texas.