Ridley Gros, former dean of the college of Business Administration, will return to Nicholls in the wake of the resignation of Uric Dufrene. After retiring only one year ago, Gros has decided to return to the business college to help with its upcoming reaccredidation process. Gros served Nicholls for 34 years as the Dean of the College of Business, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Vice President of Administrative Affairs.
“I was here in 1983 when we were first accredited and in 1995 when we were reaffirmed for accreditation. I want to keep the momentum maintained for this reaccredidation,” Gros said.
His plans to resume to his former post are slated to accommodate the reaccredidation process, which means his return is only scheduled for the next two years. Pending the approval of the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors, Gros is expected to officially return July 1 of this year.
With his return, Gros has some advancements that he is looking forward to implementing. Not only is he interested in a strong reaccredidation, but he also hopes to expand the business department to a higher level. He said he understands that the national business department is growing, and plans to keep the business department current and ready for the changing world.
“This is a critical time for us, and we need to work hard to keep moving forward,” Gros said.
With the thought of change in mind, Gros hopes to expand the curriculum of business students by introducing a second language to them. While serving as dean in the starting years of the Nicholls exchange program with France, Gros understands the importance of communicating on many different levels, especially in the business field.
Dufrene’s resignation is scheduled to take place at the end of the fiscal year. His departure is reportedly linked to family reasons. Dufrene, however, refused to comment on his resignation at this point.
Though Gros has not been on campus often since his departure, he knows the positivism that Dufrene has brought to his position.
“I did not want to cast a shadow on the campus. Things are different and that is fine. He has done well for the business community.”
Gros also said, “I’m energized and looking forward to the reaffirmation. Some of my fondest memories are from Nicholls and I’m excited to come back.”