Associate deans Denise Farag ’88 and Virlena Crosley ’89 will lead Linfield University’s School of Business during an interim period that began July 1, following the departure of Dean Jennifer Madden. A national search for the next permanent dean is underway.
Farag and Crosley bring deep experience in both professional practice and higher education, along with a shared commitment to student success and faculty collaboration.
Farag, professor of business law, joined the Linfield faculty in 2008. Serving as associate dean for graduate programs and new initiatives, she helped develop the university’s sport management program and its Master of Science in business program. A licensed attorney and member of the Oregon State Bar, her legal background includes business law, tax and estate planning. She holds a Juris Doctor from Willamette University College of Law and a B.S. in accounting from Linfield.
Crosley, who joined Linfield in 2009, teaches management and accounting courses on campus and online. She became associate dean for undergraduate programs in the School of Business during the 2021-22 academic year and served as Linfield’s interim provost in 2023. Before joining academia, she held executive roles with the State of Oregon. This included five years as director of the Oregon Employment Department. Crosley holds a Doctor of Business Administration from George Fox University, an MPA from Lewis and Clark College and a B.S. in management from Linfield.
“It’s an honor to step into this role at a university that means so much to me,” Farag said. “I’m proud of what we’ve built in the School of Business and excited to support our students, faculty and programs during this transition.”
“I look forward to working alongside Denise as we guide the school forward and continue preparing students to lead in a changing business world,” Crosley said.
Farag and Crosley succeed Madden, who became the institution’s first dean of the School of Business following the 2020 transformation from Linfield College to Linfield University. That transition included the creation of a College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Business. Madden was named as the inaugural business dean. She is departing to lead the School of Business and Society at the University of Redlands in California.
“It has been a privilege to help shape the future of business education at Linfield,” Madden said. “Our faculty and students have accomplished much, and I’m confident the school will continue to thrive under Denise and Virlena’s leadership.”
Linfield University is an independent, nonprofit university with campuses in McMinnville and Portland, Oregon, as well an eCampus for online learning. Since 1858, Linfield has connected traditional liberal arts experience with practical education through 54 majors, including wine studies, sport management and nursing. Linfield also offers interdisciplinary master’s degrees in business, nursing and sports sciences. For six years running, U.S. News & World Report has named Linfield one of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation when it comes to social mobility. Forty percent of Linfield undergraduates are first-generation college students, and 39% are U.S. students of color. Linfield competes in the NCAA Division III Northwest Conference. Learn more at www.linfield.edu.
