ST. GEORGE — Dixie State University announced Wednesday that William J. Christensen will be stepping down from his post as the institution’s executive vice president and chief academic officer. Christensen plans to resume his role as a tenured business professor in DSU’s Udvar-Hazy School of Business.

“It has always been my intent and hope to someday return to teaching and scholarship,” Christensen said. “There’s nothing I enjoy more than teaching and mentoring students. I look forward to continuing to support President Williams and DSU as we move into a bright future and am grateful for the chance I have had to serve under Presidents Williams and Stephen Nadauld.”

Christensen has served as a professor at DSU since 2001 and was dean of the DSU Udvar-Hazy School of Business from 2008 to 2013 prior to his appointment as executive vice president.

Under his direction, DSU added a number of new four-year programs and academic minor tracks of study. This year, Christensen served as chair of DSU’s strategic planning committee, and it is anticipated that the institution’s new strategic plan will be ready to launch later this summer.

“I cannot thank Dr. Christensen enough for his service, as he has served Dixie State University well,” DSU President Richard B. Williams said. “I have appreciated his leadership in the creation of our new strategic plan and look forward to his continued contributions to Dixie as a faculty member.”

Christensen received his doctorate in business administration from Oklahoma State University in 2000. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in east Asian studies and a master’s degree in management science from California State University, Hayward.

Christensen has published articles in several peer-reviewed journals, including the “Journal of Operations Management,” “Supply Chain Management: An International Journal” and the “International Journal of Operations and Production Management.” He also co-authored a chapter, “Innovation and Creativity,” included in the “Praeger Business” publication in May 2013 titled “Strategic Management in the 21st Century.”

Prior to starting his academic career, Christensen was director of solutions delivery for MindFlow Technologies, a Dallas-based software company. In his 20-year business career, he has held management positions at Arthur Andersen Business Consulting, Clark Material Handling Company, Mercury Marine and Whirlpool Corporation.

Williams said an internal search for an interim replacement and a national search for a new DSU executive vice president and provost will begin immediately.

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