Darin Gerdes

Darin Gerdes is a tenured Professor of Business at Charleston Southern University's Hans A Nielsen College of Business, serving concurrently as Director of Instructional Technology and leadership program coordinator for the Stack Center for Global Leadership and Ministry. His institutional roles focus on innovating educational frameworks to develop future leaders for global businesses, church organizations, and local communities through evidence-based pedagogical approaches.

His academic credentials include:

• PhD in Organizational Leadership (Regent University)
• MA in Public Policy (Regent University)
• MBA with Entrepreneurship emphasis (Regent University)
• BS/BS in Government and Psychology (Liberty University)

Gerdes' research centers on Organizational Leadership with distinctive integration of biblical principles into business contexts. His work examines leadership development through case study methodology, ethical decision-making frameworks, and operational excellence challenges. He investigates how faith-based perspectives inform leadership practices across business, government, and nonprofit sectors, emphasizing practical applications for real-world organizational dilemmas.

His publication trajectory reveals consistent contributions to leadership pedagogy and case-based business education. Recent works explore innovative teaching models for introductory business courses, ethical paradoxes in organizational behavior, and the tension between operational excellence and strategic complexity. Collectively, these publications bridge theoretical leadership concepts with practical business applications while maintaining a unique focus on faith-integrated perspectives.

Major recognitions include:

• CBFA Teaching Award (2018)
• Dual SECRA Best Case Awards (2019, 2020)
• CSU College of Business Excellence in Service Award (2020) and Research Award (2019)
• Faculty Member of the Year at CSU School of Business (2012)

As an academic administrator, Gerdes designed CSU's Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program, co-created the Master of Science in Human Resource Management, and established undergraduate leadership majors/minors. His program development work demonstrates commitment to shaping business education curricula that prepare students for complex organizational environments. Professional leadership includes presidency of SECRA (2019-2020) and editorial board membership for the Southeast Case Research Journal.

Through the Stack Center for Global Leadership and Ministry, Gerdes advances leadership development initiatives with global reach and faith-based foundations, while his Director of Instructional Technology role drives technological innovation in business education delivery across Charleston Southern University.