The first dean of the University of Mary's Tharaldson School of Business was introduced Thursday.

Shanda Traiser will lead the business school, which opened this fall.

Traiser was raised on a farm near Woodworth. She attended Jamestown College, where she earned degrees in English and business administration. She also earned a master's degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a Ph.D. from North Dakota State University.

Traiser has been employed as an associate professor and director of assessment at Jamestown College and previously worked for Goodrich Aerospace and Aviko, USA. She is a certified management accountant.

She was introduced to students Thursday morning and talked about her goals and plans for the school.

"In the Tharaldson School's distinctive program, students will be exposed to the real world in the classroom through the experiences of the faculty and others who bring their knowledge and expertise to share with the students, as well as have a variety of opportunities for experiential educational experiences," Traiser said.