Dean of the College of Business & Economics Search

On this page:

• Position Description
• TU’s National Ranking
• The College of Business and Economics
• Key Roles
• Chosen Candidate

Position Description

Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Melanie Perreault, the dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the College and will join TU at a pivotal juncture in its history, as the university has recently welcomed its 15th president, Dr. Mark R. Ginsberg, and continues the trajectory of excellence and impact in teaching and scholarship to become a Carnegie R2 institution. 

National Ranking

TU placed No. 26 among public institutions nationwide in a recent ranking of the best undergraduate business schools by the online business education publication, Poets&Quants.

Specifically, the CBE graduates scored high marks in career outcomes, with 85% of students having a business-specific internship prior to graduation, and 96% of graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduating.

With accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) for both business and accounting, the CBE provides a culture of world-class business education, transforming thousands of students into professionals each year. With this hands-on approach to learning, the CBE prepares graduates for success in their professional careers. 

The College of Business and Economics

The CBE Strategic Plan 2020-2025 supports their mission of developing high-quality and innovative programs and resources, connecting individuals to opportunities by applying theory to practice in curricular, co-curricular and scholarship activities, and transforming students into professionals who will have a positive societal impact within Maryland and beyond.

With more than 100 full-time faculty, dozens of adjunct faculty, and more than 20 full-time staff, the CBE faculty and staff embrace a culture of striving for excellence, learning, ethical behavior, civility, diversity, inclusion, creativity, and engagement. 

TU's role as an anchor institution in Greater Baltimore and close proximity to Washington DC present a unique opportunity to partner with leading businesses in a variety of industries. With a focus on outreach, the CBE channels its resources in its three centers: the Center for Applied Business and Economic Research; the Maryland Council of Economic Education; and a partnership with the Baltimore Cash Campaign.

In addition, TU's StarTUp at the Armory has served as the front door for start-ups, small businesses, as well as the region's largest corporations. These partnerships allow the CBE students to connect with the professional community and apply their business knowledge, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills to achieve common goals within diverse teams. 

Key Roles

Working in collaboration with the CBE's department chairs, center directors, and faculty in keeping with TU’s traditions of shared governance, the dean will advance a bold vision for the CBE’s future that also respects the College’s deeply held traditions and core values. They will develop a long-term strategy to guide CBE’s growth and development, leveraging entrepreneurial opportunities available within its dynamic ecosystem and the larger community.

The dean will play a key role in stewarding existing relationships and building new networks that benefit the College and its partners. Success in the role will require an individual who can inspire and unify the community around shared priorities; continue to attract, retain, and cultivate talented and diverse faculty, staff, and students; and empower all within CBE to be at the forefront of elevating the university to Carnegie R2 Classification.

As a passionate, energetic champion for the educational mission and student success, the incoming dean must be an exceptional communicator who is skilled at building relationships with internal and external partners, represent the College compellingly to stakeholders and donors, and demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and justice. 

Chosen Candidate

Prabakar Kothandaraman, Ph.D.

Currently serving as Dean of the School of Business at SUNY Oswego, where he is also a tenured professor of marketing, Prabakar Kothandaraman, Ph.D. boasts nearly six years of deanship and over a decade of executive leadership. His strategic vision has driven significant growth, evidenced by the School of Business's successful AACSB reaccreditation, the expansion of its graduate programs and the cultivation of a robust, industry-connected curriculum. Notably, he oversees SUNY Oswego’s record-breaking MBA cohort, including the highly successful online MBA in Healthcare Administration, maintaining the school’s #1 ranking in New York State.

His past achievements include launching the first Executive Master’s in Sales Leadership at the Russ Berrie Institute, leadership roles at Harvard Business School’s India Research Center and faculty positions at Texas A&M and Drexel University. Kothandaraman holds a Ph.D. in Marketing from Penn State University, an MBA from Xavier Institute of Management and a BE (Hons) in Chemical Engineering from BITS Pilani.

A recognized thought leader in business education, Kothandaraman is dedicated to research, curriculum innovation and student success. His leadership philosophy emphasizes strategic planning, external engagement and fostering a culture of excellence — ensuring that business education remains impactful, future-focused and responsive to societal needs.

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