CarterBaldwin Executive Search is proud to partner again with Samford University in the naming of three new leaders to the University: Dr. Nathan Shelburne as Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Bradley Lail as Dean of the Brock School of Business, and Dr. Suresh Mathews as Dean of the School of Public Health.
Dr. Nathan Shelburne is currently the Senior Director of New Student Programs at Baylor University. Since 2012, Shelburne has held roles of increasing responsibility at Baylor in the Department of New Student Programs. Prior to his time at Baylor, Shelburne held a variety of student academic advisor roles at Texas A&M University. He began his career as Director of Student Development and Campus Activities at Ouachita Baptist University.
“Samford warmly welcomes Dr. Shelburne to the executive leadership team,” said Samford President Beck A. Taylor. “Throughout the search process, Dr. Shelburne proved that he embodied Samford’s dual commitments to academic and co-curricular strength and to the integration of Christian faith and learning. He will bring many years of experience to his new role at Samford, and I’m personally excited about the future of student affairs under his capable leadership.”
Shelburne holds a BA in biblical studies from Ouachita Baptist University, an MS in education from Baylor University, and a PhD in higher education administration from Texas A&M University.
Click here for Samford’s complete announcement on Dr. Shelburne.
Dr. Bradley Lail currently serves Associate Dean of undergraduate programs and professor at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business.
Before becoming Associate Dean, Lail served as Chair of Baylor’s Department of Accounting and Business Law. He previously taught at North Carolina State University after completing his doctoral studies. An active scholar and educator, Lail’s research focuses on financial accounting and capital markets, including topics such as segment reporting and earnings management. Prior to entering academia, he worked as a staff auditor with EY in Dallas and later in corporate finance with AT&T.
“Dr. Lail was the unanimous choice of the search committee, and he received robust praise and accolades from students, staff, and faculty during his interview process,” said Dave Cimbora, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “He brings with him experience, wisdom, vision, humility, passion and a Christ-centered approach to higher education and relationships. I could not be more thrilled as he joins our team.”
Lail holds a BBA and MBA from Baylor University and earned his PhD in accounting from the University of Oklahoma.
Click here to read Samford’s complete announcement.
Dr. Suresh Mathews has served as interim dean at the School of Public Health since February 2025, providing steady leadership and advancing the school’s academic, research and community priorities. A member of the Samford faculty since 2015, he has served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics.
His academic career includes faculty appointments at Auburn University, where he served as graduate program director for the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Hospitality Management, and at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Michigan.
“Dr. Mathews stood out as a candidate with tremendous experience, wisdom gained from that experience and a robust skill set to lead the School of Public Health into the future. These qualities were consistently recognized by faculty, staff and students throughout the search process,” said Cimbora. “He has the full support and confidence of the provost’s office and the entire search committee, and we are excited for the leadership he will continue to bring to Samford.”
Mathews holds an MS in biochemistry from Bharathiar University and earned his MPhil and PhD in biochemistry from the University of Madras in India.
Click here to read Samford’s complete announcement.
About Samford University
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 35 Most Beautiful College Campuses, Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.
