Executive Overview
Florida State University (FSU) has officially entered a new chapter in its academic leadership following a major administrative transition. Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Clark announced the immediate appointment of Dr. Mike Brady as the interim dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. Dr. Brady, a distinguished scholar, experienced administrator, and two-time FSU alumnus, steps into the role following the return of founding Dean Susan Fiorito to the faculty.
The leadership handoff marks a critical milestone for one of the nation’s most innovative academic institutions. Under Fiorito’s pioneering direction, the Jim Moran College evolved from a modest academic school into the country’s first stand-alone college dedicated entirely to the study and practice of entrepreneurship. Now, as the university navigates an era defined by rapid technological disruption, shifting economic landscapes, and a heightened demand for practical business acumen, Dr. Brady is tasked with maintaining the college’s upward trajectory.
This comprehensive report examines the nuances of this leadership transition, exploring Dr. Brady’s extensive academic and professional background, the foundational legacy left by Dean Fiorito, and the strategic implications of this appointment for the future of entrepreneurial education at Florida State University.
Detailed Chronology of the Transition
The timeline leading up to Dr. Brady’s appointment reflects a carefully orchestrated administrative shift designed to ensure institutional stability and continuity.
The Foundation and Rise of an Institution
To fully understand the weight of Dr. Brady’s new role, one must trace the recent history of the Jim Moran College. The journey began in 2016 when the unit was established as the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship, fueled by a transformative vision and substantial philanthropic support. Just three years later, in 2019, the school achieved a monumental milestone by securing designation as the nation’s first stand-alone College of Entrepreneurship.
Throughout this foundational period, Dean Susan Fiorito steered the academic ship. Her mandate was clear: build a curriculum that transcended traditional business school boundaries, fostering cross-disciplinary innovation and providing physical and intellectual spaces where student creators and prospective business founders could transform abstract ideas into viable commercial enterprises. Under her leadership, enrollment surged, physical facilities expanded, and the college established itself as a national benchmark for experiential learning.
The Interim Appointment
As Dean Fiorito elected to step down from her administrative duties to return to her roots in teaching and research, the FSU provost’s office initiated a search for a leader capable of preserving the college’s momentum while injecting fresh administrative energy.
In August 2026, Provost Jim Clark formally tapped Dr. Mike Brady for the interim position. Brady was uniquely positioned for the promotion. Prior to taking the helm at the Jim Moran College, Brady served in a triumvirate of high-profile campus roles: assistant provost, the Bob Sasser Professor of Marketing in the Herbert Wertheim College of Business, and FSU’s faculty athletics representative. His immediate transition into the interim dean role ensures that there will be no lag in administrative oversight as the college prepares for the upcoming academic semesters.
Supporting Context & Metrics: A Closer Look at Dr. Mike Brady
Dr. Mike Brady’s credentials extend far beyond standard academic management. His life and career reflect a rare blend of high-level athletic discipline, global research prominence, and deeply rooted institutional loyalty to Florida State University.
Deep FSU Roots and Early Life
Brady’s relationship with FSU spans decades. He is a proud two-time alumnus of the university, having earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1991, followed by his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in 1997. Long before entering the academic lecture hall, however, Brady was well-acquainted with high-stakes performance. As a standout student-athlete, he played baseball for the Florida State Seminoles, an experience that later translated into a professional playing career within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. This background in professional sports instilled a competitive resilience and collaborative spirit that would later characterize his approach to academic leadership.
Research Prowess and Global Academic Standing
In the world of business scholarship, Dr. Brady is an undeniable heavyweight. His primary research explores the complexities of customer satisfaction, employee-customer interactions, and the broader discipline of service marketing.
The impact of his published works is quantified by an extraordinary metric: more than 38,000 academic citations. This massive citation count places him among the most widely read and influential scholars in his field globally. Furthermore, his editorial and organizational leadership within the academic community is extensive. He has held prominent leadership positions within the American Marketing Association (AMA)—including serving as vice president of publications and board chair—and previously lent his expertise as the editor-in-chief of the prestigious Journal of Service Research.
Teaching, Mentorship, and Minority Advocacy
Despite his soaring research metrics and administrative burdens, Brady has consistently maintained a reputation as an exceptional educator and mentor. His dedication to student development has been formally recognized through numerous accolades, including the FSU University Graduate Student Mentoring Award and the William R. Jones Award for Mentoring Minority Doctoral Students. These honors underscore his commitment to fostering equity, diversity, and rigorous intellectual inquiry among the next generation of scholars and business leaders.
Official Statements and Institutional Perspectives
The announcement of Dr. Brady’s appointment elicited strong, positive reactions from key university stakeholders, highlighting a shared institutional vision for the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship.
Provost Jim Clark emphasized Dr. Brady’s multi-faceted qualifications during the announcement:
"Dr. Brady is a proven administrator, an internationally recognized scholar and a committed member of the Florida State community. His experience in academic leadership, along with his commitment to students and research, positions him well to lead the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship during this transition."
Clark also took the opportunity to publicly honor the outgoing founding dean, acknowledging the immense debt of gratitude the university owes to Susan Fiorito:
"We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to founding Dean Susan Fiorito. Her vision and leadership helped establish the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship and created a strong foundation for the college’s future."
For his part, Dr. Brady struck a tone of humility, respect, and forward-looking ambition when addressing his new appointment:
"It is an honor to serve as interim dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. Dean Fiorito has built a strong college with dedicated faculty, staff and students. I look forward to working with them to continue advancing entrepreneurship at FSU."
Brady’s statements signal an intentional approach: rather than immediately dismantling or aggressively restructuring existing frameworks, his initial strategy focuses on collaboration, honoring past successes, and empowering the core community of educators and innovators who built the college from the ground up.
Future Outlook: The Path Ahead for the Jim Moran College
As Dr. Mike Brady settles into his new office, the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship stands at an exciting crossroads. The operational landscape of business creation has shifted dramatically in recent years. Modern entrepreneurs must navigate complex global supply chains, rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, evolving consumer ethics, and unique venture-capital environments.
Strategic Priorities for the Interim Administration
- Curricular Adaptation: Ensuring that the college’s academic offerings remain on the cutting edge of digital transformation, e-commerce, and sustainable business practices.
- Community and Alumni Engagement: Leveraging FSU’s vast alumni network—particularly business founders and corporate leaders—to provide mentorship, seed funding, and real-world networking opportunities for current students.
- Interdisciplinary Expansion: Continuing Dean Fiorito’s legacy of breaking down academic silos, allowing students from diverse colleges across FSU (such as engineering, the arts, and medicine) to merge their technical expertise with foundational business acumen.
- Research Integration: Bridging the gap between Dr. Brady’s deep research background and undergraduate practical learning, encouraging students to ground their business models in empirical market research and consumer behavior analytics.
Conclusion
The transition from Susan Fiorito to Dr. Mike Brady represents more than just a routine administrative swap; it is the natural evolution of an academic institution maturing into its next phase of excellence. Armed with a profound understanding of marketing dynamics, a globally respected research portfolio, and a lifelong personal connection to Florida State University, Dr. Brady is exceptionally well-equipped to guide the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. As students return to campus and the entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to thrive, the college remains poised to cement its status as a premier national incubator for the business leaders and innovators of tomorrow.
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