Ravi Bapna has been appointed as the new dean of Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business, effective September 1, bringing extensive expertise in artificial intelligence and big data analytics.
SANTA CLARA, CA – Ravi Bapna, a distinguished expert in artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and digital transformation, has been appointed the next dean of Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business. He will officially take on this role starting September 1.
The announcement was made by James M. Glaser, the Provost and Executive Vice President of Santa Clara University.
Bapna comes to Santa Clara from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, where he held the position of Curtis L. Carlson Chair in Business Analytics and Information Systems. Additionally, he served as the associate dean for executive education and was the academic director of both the Carlson Analytics Lab and the Analytics for Good Institute.
As dean, Bapna will act as the chief academic and executive officer of the Leavey School of Business. His responsibilities will include overseeing undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programs, as well as managing faculty and research institutes. He will also hold the title of Mario L. Belotti Professor of Business and will join the Leavey faculty.
“Business education is at an inflection point, and there is no better place to shape its future than right here in Silicon Valley, at one of the world’s leading Jesuit universities,” Bapna remarked.
Bapna earned his doctoral degree in business administration with a focus on operations and information management from the University of Connecticut. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from St. Xavier’s College in Calcutta and a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the Manipal Institute of Technology. Prior to his tenure at the Carlson School, he held tenured faculty and leadership roles at the Indian School of Business and the University of Connecticut.
In addition to Bapna’s appointment, his wife, Sofia Bapna, an award-winning scholar, will also be joining the faculty at the Leavey School of Business. Her research focuses on gender gaps in technology, digital platforms, and equity crowdfunding, with recent studies exploring the applications of artificial intelligence in education.
This new leadership at the Leavey School of Business marks an exciting chapter for the institution, as it continues to adapt and evolve in the rapidly changing landscape of business education.
According to India West, Bapna’s extensive background and vision for the future of business education are expected to significantly impact the school and its students.