Wright State University has appointed Rajneesh Suri as the new dean of the Raj Soin College of Business, bringing extensive academic and industry experience to the role.
Wright State University has announced the appointment of Rajneesh Suri as the new dean of the Raj Soin College of Business, located in Fairborn, Ohio. This appointment marks a significant leadership transition for one of the region’s leading business schools.
Suri, an accomplished academic with a robust background in marketing and consumer behavior, will officially assume his role on July 1. His vision emphasizes student success and community integration, aligning with the college’s mission to foster a dynamic learning environment.
University provost Amy Thompson commended Suri’s extensive experience and his proven ability to cultivate collaborative environments. She noted that his innovative approach is precisely what the college needs to enhance its reputation and broaden its reach in an increasingly competitive academic landscape.
An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, Suri joins Wright State from Drexel University in Philadelphia. At Drexel, he served as senior vice provost for academic industry partnerships and was the founding academic director of the Drexel Solutions Institute and the Innovation Engine.
In these roles, Suri provided strategic leadership for university-wide academic–industry engagement, facilitating connections between faculty, students, and corporate, nonprofit, and community partners through applied research, professional training, and experiential learning opportunities. He also established the Center for Neuro-Business within Drexel’s LeBow College of Business, which focused on linking faculty with industry partners for applied research and curriculum development.
Suri’s work has consistently bridged the gap between complex theoretical research and practical, real-world applications. Central to his philosophy is the belief that a business college should act as a catalyst for local economic development while equipping students with the skills necessary to thrive in a global marketplace.
Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Suri highlighted the strong foundation already established at the Raj Soin College of Business. He aims to build on the college’s existing strengths in supply chain management, accountancy, and entrepreneurship.
One of Suri’s primary focuses will be to create more experiential learning opportunities, ensuring that graduates emerge not just with degrees but as seasoned professionals ready to confront industry challenges from day one.
He also stressed the importance of the human element in business. In a time increasingly influenced by data and automation, Suri believes that leadership, ethics, and interpersonal communication are essential skills for the next generation of CEOs and innovators. He plans to engage closely with the Dayton business community to ensure that the curriculum remains relevant to the needs of local employers.
Faculty and staff have welcomed the news of Suri’s appointment, citing his reputation for transparency and his commitment to inclusive excellence. As he steps into this leadership role, the Wright State community looks forward to a period of renewed energy and strategic growth.
Suri succeeds a legacy of leadership that has shaped the college for years. His tenure represents a pivotal moment for Wright State as it adapts to the post-pandemic educational landscape, with a focus on digital transformation and sustainable business practices.
With Suri at the helm, the Raj Soin College of Business is poised to strengthen its position as a cornerstone of the Miami Valley’s intellectual and economic landscape.
Suri holds a PhD in marketing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Delhi.
The information in this article is based on a report from The American Bazaar.