Syracuse University forms search committee for next Whitman School dean

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University has formed a search committee to find and hire the next dean of the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.

The 14-person committee includes university leaders, faculty, staff, and board of trustees’ representatives, according to a university news release.

Syracuse has hired Isaacson, Miller, a Boston, Massachusetts–based recruitment firm, to assist with the search effort.

The new dean will succeed S.P. Raj, professor of marketing and chair of the department of marketing, who is currently serving as interim dean.

Raj was named to the interim post after Syracuse University’s removal of Kenneth Kavajecz as dean of the Whitman School following his arrest in a prostitution sting in the town of Salina.

The university announced the removal of Kavajecz on Sept. 14.

A key Syracuse University official expressed confidence about the upcoming search.

“I am eager to begin the process of identifying a world-class business leader to guide the Whitman School into the future,” Michele Wheatly, vice chancellor and provost, said in the release. “The Whitman School has never been stronger and continues to experience tremendous growth and success. That success, combined with the Whitman School’s entrepreneurial and student-centric approach to business education, makes the dean position one of the most attractive leadership opportunities in higher education today. I have no doubt we will attract the very best and brightest minds in business education.” 

J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, will chair the committee.

Haynie is also a professor of entrepreneurship in the Whitman School.

The search process will be a “collaborative effort” between the search committee and the students, faculty, staff and alumni of the Whitman School, Syracuse said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com