ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell University announced that it has named Kate Walsh interim dean of the School of Hotel Administration (SHA).
Walsh will begin a two-year term on July 1. She succeeds Michael Johnson, the Bradley H. Stone Dean of SHA, whose term ends June 30.
“Kate has been an important member of the faculty during a transformational period that has positioned the School of Hotel Administration at the top of its field,” Cornell Provost Michael Kotlikoff contended in a Cornell Chronicle news release. “The many contributions she has made as an advocate for students, faculty, alumni and staff alike also demonstrate her understanding of the Cornell community and will distinguish her successful leadership.”
Walsh will report to Soumitra Dutta, dean of the College of Business.
Walsh has been a member of the SHA faculty since 2000.
“My vision for the school is to maintain our role as the world leader in hospitality education, rooted in our exceptional teaching, reflected in our meaningful research and continuously enhanced based on our deep understanding of this exciting and evolving industry,” Walsh said in the release.
She has pursued a research agenda examining how to retain and develop professionals, especially women, in organizational leadership roles. Walsh also conducts research examining the role of knowledge investments in the value of a firm.
Walsh earned a Ph.D. in organization studies from Boston College’s Carroll School of Management in 2000 and a Master of Professional Studies degree with a concentration in financial and human resource management from SHA in 1990. She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fairfield University in 1985.
Walsh’s previous jobs includes serving as director of training and development at Nikko Hotels International, corporate training manager for the former Bristol Hotels, and senior auditor at Loews Corp., according to the release.
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