After nearly seven years, Arjang A. Assad has decided to step down from his role as Henry E. Haller Jr. Dean of the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business and College of Business Administration and return to the faculty effective June 30, 2022.
“During my years at Pitt, I’ve had the privilege to work with some of the brightest minds in the field,” says Assad. “Working together, we were gratified to see Pitt Business reach new heights. I am confident that our school will continue to ascend under a new dean with a fresh perspective.”
Dean Assad has led Pitt Business to develop new programs, exceed admissions goals, achieve sky-high rankings, and attract the best and brightest students from across the world. He’s recruited and retained top faculty here at Pitt Business, which includes 35 faculty hires since 2015. But above all else, Dean Assad will be remembered for the emphasis he’s always placed on teaching and learning.
“Arjang doesn’t just care deeply about teaching—he understands at a fundamental level what it takes to energize a dynamic climate where learning is part of the core mission, and teaching innovation and excellence thrive,” says Professor Frits Pil, who has been teaching at Pitt Business for over 25 years.
Over the years, Dean Assad has embraced the help of our University partners in these efforts including Cynthia Golden and her team at the Center for Teaching and Learning and Clyde Pickett and his colleagues at the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Together, they provided faculty with crucial training and resources on instructional tools, curriculum ideation, and teaching technologies.
In his honor, the Arjang A. Assad Teaching Excellence Award was created this year to reward exemplary teachers at Pitt Business. Professor Frits Pil has been very supportive of funding for Dean Assad’s award and is encouraging recent graduates who have benefitted from the fantastic faculty he has worked to recruit, retain, and reward, to make a gift to the fund on Pitt Day of Giving.
“Our recent alumni are critical partners as we write the next chapter in Pitt Business’ journey,” says Pil.
To help Professor Pil support the future of teaching at Pitt Business, please click here.
