Vice President and Provost Janet Krejci has appointed Ajay Samant as the new dean of the College of Business at Illinois State University, effective July 1, 2016. Samant will replace Gerry McKean, who retires June 30.
Ajay Samant
Samant is currently a professor of finance and former dean in the Coggin College of Business at the University of North Florida (UNF). He earned a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in economics from Indiana University. He joined the faculty at the University of North Florida in 2010.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Samant’s leadership to take the College of Business to even greater levels of excellence,” said Krejci. “His accomplishments in previous dean roles include successful Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation, program development, fundraising endeavors, cross disciplinary programs, and administration of international programs.”
Under his guidance at the University of North Florida, Samant led fundraising efforts raising $13 million for faculty scholarships, program development, and scholarships for students. He secured $5.6 million in grants and contracts for the college, achieved AACSB accreditation for business and accounting, and implemented several new degree programs.
Among his accomplishments, Samant founded the Center for Sustainable Business Practices, established the MBA Board Fellows Program, and established the UNF Dual Degree Bachelor of Business Administration program with KEDGE Business School, Paris.
Before arriving at UNF, Samant was associate dean, interim dean, and National City Endowed Chair Professor for Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University.
Samant’s scholarly work has appeared in such publications as The Journal of Finance, Accounting and Management, The Journal of Global Business and Technology, and The International Journal of Commerce and Management. He has also presented at conferences around the globe including the International Association of Business Disciplines and the International Conference on Banking and Finance.
