Dr. Somnath Lahiri started serving as the interim chairperson of the Department of Management on July 1, 2024. He brings extensive knowledge and experience to his new role. Lahiri completed undergraduate education in civil engineering in India and worked for 13 years in private and government sectors. In 2003, Lahiri transitioned into higher education as he began pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Memphis in Tennessee. He joined Illinois State University in 2007 and became a full professor in 2018.
During these years Lahiri taught various undergraduate courses including organizational strategy and international business. He also taught the MBA capstone class. Lahiri has taught several courses in Panama as well. He is an accomplished researcher and serves on journal editorial boards. He has also served as the research director of the College of Business.
As interim chair of the Department of Management, Lahiri will perform the usual duties, for example, representing his department at the college and university level meetings, revising the curricula, ensuring the well-being and advancement of students and faculty members. As the Department of Management is one of the largest in the entire university, Lahiri aims to build on the department’s strengths and looks forward to actively working alongside his colleagues.
