Retired Coast Guard captain is new Christopher Newport biz school dean

Anna W. Hickey, a retired U.S. Coast Guard captain, will become dean of Christopher Newport University‘s Joseph W. Luter III School of Business.

The Newport News-based university announced Hickey’s appointment Wednesday, saying her selection followed a national search. She succeeds Alan Witt, the former PBMares CEO who served as the business school’s dean from 2021 until his retirement in July.

Hickey retired from the Coast Guard this year after a career that dates back to 1997. She was most recently vice provost for academic administration at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where she also served as dean of the academy’s School of Leadership and Management.

“Dr. Hickey has a long and distinguished career of service to our country through military and higher education leadership positions,” CNU President William G. Kelly said in a statement. “She will be an exceptional addition to our Christopher Newport campus and an exceptional leader, teacher and scholar.”

Hickey has previously taught extensively about accounting and budgeting, with specific interests in governmental financial reporting and accounting education. She is affiliated with the Association of Government Accountants and has served as a reviewer for the Journal of Accounting Education. She has a bachelor’s degree in management from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, an MBA in finance from Florida Atlantic University and a doctorate in accounting from West Virginia University.

“I am deeply honored to serve as the dean of the Luter School and eager to meet its outstanding students, faculty and staff,” Hickey said in a statement.

CNU established the business school in 2008 in honor of former Smithfield Foods Chairman and CEO Joseph W. Luter III, whose company had helped finance the school through a $5 million gift. Luter passed away last week at the age of 86.

The Luter School of Business currently has 323 juniors and seniors enrolled. The school is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and offers a curriculum in business administration with concentrations in accounting, finance, management and marketing.