The Magazine for Alumni and Friends of the UB School of Management

Arjang A. Assad

Dean's Advisory Council

A Message from the Dean

While we always look forward to the beginning of a new academic year, events of the past several months have increased our enthusiasm to a level surpassing any in our recent past.

In April, after a seven-month international search, the State University of New York Board of Trustees appointed Satish K. Tripathi as the 15th president of the University at Buffalo. I was honored to serve on that search and most pleased with the outcome.

Stay tuned as we celebrate inauguration week, beginning September 19 and culminating on September 23 with the formal investiture of Satish K. Tripathi as the 15th president of the University at Buffalo.

Though the formal investiture ceremony lies ahead of us, President Tripathi has been hard at work in his new role for many months, and we already have much to celebrate. In June, the New York State Legislature passed Governor Andrew Cuomo's NYSUNY 2020 bill. This pioneering legislation gives us the tools we need to advance the next phase of the UB 2020 plan for academic excellence. As a result, it will have a transformative impact on our university, on public higher education in New York State, and on our region's economy and quality of life.

More recently, Governor Cuomo named President Tripathi a regional co-chair of the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council. The council represents a community-based approach that emphasizes the region's unique assets, harnesses local expertise and empowers each region to set plans and priorities.

These events bode well for the university as a whole and for the School of Management, which has taken an active role in UB's commitment to community and economic impact. In addition, the school has accomplished a number of objectives in its own right.

On the academic front, the School of Management has been reaccredited by AACSB International for another five years. We've also had an excellent year in terms of faculty hiring and retention, which will enhance our students' experience and our research reputation.

Within these pages, you'll see many other reasons for our heightened enthusiasm, including our appearance in two new business school rankings, the formation of the Kelly Investment Group for students, innovative research (see Insights) and much more.

On the academic front, the School of Management has been reaccredited by AACSB I am confident that as you read of our successes, you will join us in our growing excitement for the direction ahead. Many thanks for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Arjang A. Assad

Dean