Published: Feb 26, 2007
The new dean of UT’s John H. Sykes College of Business brings a
wealth of international experience to The University of Tampa when he
takes on his new role this fall.
“Globalization is becoming one
of the major thrusts of the world economy, and students need to learn
that we’re all connected,” said the new dean, Dr. F. Frank Ghannadian.
Ghannadian
serves as associate dean and chief operating officer of the Stetson
School of Business at Mercer University’s Atlanta campus. In his tenure
at Stetson, he has directed the studies abroad program, initiated an
international business concentration and an executive MBA program, and
has developed relationships with more than 130 multinational companies.
He also has forged partnerships with three universities on different
continents, including Hong Kong Baptist University.
A native of
Azerbaijan, Ghannadian speaks four languages, including Farsi and
Turkish. He would like to focus on expanding the international component
of the business school, he said, and create more international
connections and opportunities in Europe and Asia for the Sykes College
of Business.
“The mechanism is already there to be able to do
that,” he said. “UT has outstanding international programs, and I would
like to see all business students be a part of the Study Abroad
program.”
In addition to establishing the executive MBA program
at Stetson, Ghannadian shepherded the school through the accreditation
process for the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
This experience prepares him for Sykes reaccreditation, he said, which
comes due in the next two years.
“The No. 1 one goal is to make
sure we get reaffirmed with AACSB,” he said. “That takes priority over
everything else, and everything will be faculty-driven.”
In
addition, Ghannadian said he would like the faculty to have more time to
do research and publish articles. He hopes to offer more executive
programs and either expand or consolidate the centers and institutes
already in place.
“As a long-term goal, I would like Sykes to be the premier business school in the Southeast,” he said.
Ghannadian
holds a doctorate from Georgia State University, a master’s degree in
business administration from Queens College and a bachelor’s degree with
a major in industrial management from the University of Tennessee. He
was chosen after a nearly year-long search.
“Dr. Ghannadian was
recommended unanimously by the hard-working and exceptionally thorough
COB Dean Search Committee, chaired by Dr. Cheri Etling,” said UT provost
Dr. Janet McNew. “His international background, as well as his
education, informs his scholarly work, which includes over forty
peer-reviewed articles in business journals.”
The selection process included about 120 applicants, according to Etling who said Ghannadian was the best fit for the position.
“He
understands the importance of both graduate and undergraduate
education,” Etling said. “He also understands the faculty and the
students, and wants to make an excellent environment and experience for
both.”
Etling, chair and associate professor of finance, added
that Ghannadian’s administrative experience will help with the
University’s transition to a four-college model this fall.