CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Avijit Ghosh, vice dean of the Stern School of Business at New York University, will become dean of the University of Illinois College of Commerce and Business Administration, pending approval of the UI Board of Trustees at its March 7-8 meeting in Urbana. Ghosh will assume his duties Aug. 21.
“Professor Ghosh has outstanding academic credentials and just the right experience and background to address the challenges facing us,” said Michael Aiken, the chancellor of the Urbana campus. “He has extensive knowledge of full-time and executive MBA programs and executive development and entrepreneurial programs. The College of Commerce and Business Administration is poised to take advantage of exciting new opportunities under Dr. GhoshÕs leadership. It is a wonderful fit.”
Ghosh, the Langone Professor of Marketing, served as director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Stern from 1991-1994. Under his direction, the center made entrepreneurship education an integral part of the schoolÕs agenda. In 1995, Ghosh was appointed vice dean of the Stern School with responsibility for full-time and part-time MBA programs and executive education. In 1998-99, he was appointed deputy dean at the school.
“I feel extremely honored at the prospect of becoming a member of such a highly esteemed institution,” Ghosh said today. “I look forward to working closely with the students, faculty and staff of the college and of the university. I intend to work diligently to define and achieve a new level of excellence for the college and recognition of it as one of the foremost centers of business education.”
Ghosh has taught courses on marketing, competitive strategy, retailing and entrepreneurship, and was honored with the Stern Excellence in Teaching Award in 1991.
“Dean Ghosh brings a creative, energetic vision for the college based on a wealth of research, teaching and administrative experience,” UI Provost Richard Herman said. “In addition, our students, faculty members, administrators, as well as members of the business community, were deeply impressed with his ideas for the future of the college.”
A native of India, Ghosh received his bachelor of arts degree in chemistry at Calcutta University, and his masterÕs and doctoral degrees in geography at the University of Iowa. He is the author or co-author of many articles on marketing strategy, production location, franchising and brand choices.
