Holly Gruhlke

Dr. Holly Gruhlke serves as Vice President/Provost and Professor of Business at Dickinson State University (DSU). Her roles include administrative leadership across academic affairs, student affairs, and faculty roles. She previously chaired the School of Business and Entrepreneurship (2017–2020), served as Dean of the College of Education, Business, and Applied Sciences (2020–2023), and was promoted to full professor in 2024. She holds a D.B.A. from Wilmington University, an M.B.A. from the University of North Dakota, and a B.S. from Dickinson State University.

Her research focuses on undergraduate business workforce preparedness, strategic planning, management, and leadership. She teaches courses in strategy, human resources, leadership, entrepreneurship, and internships. Notable accolades include DSU’s 2016 Outstanding Teacher of the Year, 2017 Distinguished Educator, Prairie Business Magazine’s “40 Under 40” (2017), and 2025 Top 25 Women in Business. She also received the M-PBEA Teacher of the Year (2019) and LEAD’s Top Future Leader (2018).

In community roles, she serves on the CHI St. Alexius Hospital Patient & Family Advisory Board and Common Spirit Health’s Regional Quality and Values Committee. Her leadership emphasizes connecting administrative duties with classroom engagement to remain accessible to students and faculty.