Ronald Mickler

Background

Dr. Ronald Mickler, Jr., is a distinguished academic leader with over two decades of experience in higher education, specializing in enrollment management, student services, and program development. He currently serves as the Assistant Dean for Accreditation and Strategic Initiatives at the Boler College of Business, John Carroll University, where he also teaches leadership and organizational development courses.

Dr. Mickler earned his Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies from Ashland University in 2021. His dissertation, titled "Informal Leaders, Interpersonal Influence, and Word-of-Mouth Communication: Understanding Master of Business Administration Applicants' Enrollment Decision-Making Process," provides valuable insights into the factors influencing MBA applicants' enrollment decisions.

Throughout his career, Dr. Mickler has demonstrated a profound ability to design and implement innovative academic programs and strategic initiatives. He also successfully led the AACSB Continuous Improvement Peer Review Process in 2024, resulting in the extension of dual accreditation through 2029.

Before his tenure at John Carroll University, Dr. Mickler served as the Executive Director of MBA Programs at Ashland University's Dauch College of Business & Economics. In this role, he successfully led the initial phase of the AACSB Accreditation process at Ashland University from 2019 to 2022, laying the foundation for the university’s achievement of initial accreditation in March 2024. He also launched innovative programs, including the first MBA Alumni Mentoring Program and a Word-of-Mouth Referral Program. He also expanded the MBA curriculum by introducing specializations and certificates in Digital Marketing and Six Sigma. He facilitated partnerships with institutions such as Wilmington College and Hiram College to create 4+1 MBA articulation agreements.

Dr. Mickler's expertise extends to higher education marketing, strategic planning, and accreditation standards. His collaborative leadership style has fostered strong relationships with corporate and organizational partners, enhancing opportunities for students and elevating the profiles of the institutions he has served.

In addition to his administrative roles, Dr. Mickler is an active contributor to academic research. His work has been published in journals such as the Journal of Education Leadership, and he has co-authored book chapters on leadership development. He is also a sought-after speaker, having presented at conferences including the Decision Sciences Institute Conference and the Southeast Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences. His dedication to student success, innovative program development, and strategic leadership continues to make a significant impact in higher education.

Areas of Expertise

A creative, transformative, and visionary leader who possesses proven capabilities to design and launch cutting-edge academic, executive, and professional leadership development programs and drive a student-centered culture, providing concierge student service.

Decades of higher education enrollment management in undergraduate and graduate business programs, student service functions, and academic leadership in accredited institutions.

Deep familiarity with federal, regional, and state accreditation standards and active involvement in AACSB and HLC.

Demonstrated experience building a strategic vision, operational plan, and complex budget aligned with KPIs and OKRs.

Proven abilities in strategic planning, higher education marketing, managing projects, and improving the efficiency of operations.

Extensive experience using student information systems, higher education CRMs, and analyzing data.

Accomplished in identifying strengths and opportunities, implementing policies and standards, changing operations, maximizing efficiencies, and optimizing productivity.

Research Interests

My research interests encompass branding, e-learning, marketing strategy, higher education, qualitative methodologies, leadership (including asymmetric, authentic, servant, situational, and transformational styles), gamification, sales management, and operations management.

Education

• Ed.D. Leadership Studies – Ashland University 2021
• M.Ed., Adult Learning and Development – Cleveland State University 2006
• B.B.A Human Resources Management, Cum Laude – Cleveland State University 2001

Courses Taught

MB 5560 Leadership Lab

MB 5562 Organizational & Team Leadership

MB 5566 Executive Communication

MB 5590 Executive Leadership

MB 5593 CEO Insights

MOL 5550 Leadership Development

NP 5150 Leadership and Management

Publications

• Granot, E., Jacobs, R. (Presenter), Mickler, Jr., R. (Presenter), and Moss, J. (Presenter) (2021). “Virtual International MBA Study Tours as an Alternative to Physical Tours in a Time of Global Pandemic.” Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastern Chapter of the Institute for Operations and the Management Sciences 2021, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
• Mickler, Jr., R. Moving the Needle: What We Know (and Don’t Know) About Developing Leaders, Chapter 1, Action Learning. Information Age Publishing, Inc. (2025), 1-12.
• Rosch, D. M., Kuron, L. K. J., Reimer, R. D., Mickler, Jr., R., and Jenkins, D. (2024). Gender Identity, Inter-Team Competition, and Leader Self-Efficacy Developmental Trajectories in a Multi-Institutional Leader Development Program. Journal of Education Leadership 23(1), 108-120.
• Russel, L. M. (Presenter), Mickler, Jr., R., and Saxton, B. (2025). From Disruption to Duty: Unpacking The Emotional Toll of Generative AI Integration in Jesuit Business Education. Colleagues in Jesuit Business Education Conference, University Heights, Ohio.
• Zeiser, Andrew (Presenter), Russell, L. M., Mickler, Jr., R., Winkel, D. (2024). Grading in the Digital Age: AI Feedback vs. Professor Feedback. Decision Sciences Institute Conference, Phoenix, Arizona.