Judy Olian, dean of the Smeal College of Business at
Pennsylvania State University, was named the new dean for the UCLA
Anderson School of Management on Thursday by Chancellor Albert
Carnesale.
The appointment will be effective Jan. 1, 2006, pending approval
from the University of California Board of Regents, according to a
university statement released Thursday.
“Dr. Olian is a respected scholar and innovative leader
with a deep commitment to the type of interdisciplinary education
that is a priority at the UCLA Anderson School of
Management,” Carnesale said in a statement. “She brings
many assets that will serve the school well as it continues its
growth among the nation’s leading business
schools.”
Carnesale formed a search committee in February this year to
assist him in identifying potential candidates for the
position.
“Judy Olian will bring the perfect blend of leadership and
innovation to one of the world’s best management
schools,” said Peter Mullin, a member of the advisory group
and chair of Anderson’s Board of Visitors, in a statement.
“She deeply impressed the board with her outstanding
credentials and track record, and we are delighted she has agreed
to accept this appointment.”
A native of Australia, Olian holds masters and doctorate degrees
in industrial relations from the University of Wisconsin, Madison,
and an undergraduate degree in psychology from the Hebrew
University in Jerusalem.
Prior to her tenure at Smeal, she served as senior associate
dean and professor of management and organization at the Robert H.
Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. Olian will
be replacing Dean Bruce Willison, who has served as dean since
1999.
Willison decided in October 2003 to leave Anderson after his
contract ended in June 2004, though he said he would stay until a
replacement was named, said Hilary Rehder, a spokeswoman for the
Anderson School.