Fisher College of Business Names New Permanent Dean

The appointment provides leadership stability for local businesses relying on the college for research and talent pipelines.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in People

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a stylized tiered academic building facade, representing institutional leadership in business education.
The Ohio State University named Aravind Chandrasekaran as the new permanent dean of the Fisher College of Business, ending a months-long interim search. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Are local business colleges currently doing a good job preparing students for the modern workforce?

The Ohio State University has named Aravind Chandrasekaran as the new dean of the Max M. Fisher College of Business. Chandrasekaran, who has served as interim dean since June 2025, will continue to hold the John W. Berry, Sr. Chair in Business pending final approval by the Board of Trustees.

Why it matters

The appointment establishes long-term leadership for a major regional business school that serves as a primary pipeline for talent and management research in the Columbus area. This selection concludes a search process that began during the interim tenure of a long-time faculty member.

Aravind Chandrasekaran joined The Ohio State University in 2009 and has since authored 2 books. He has served as interim dean of the Max M. Fisher College of Business since June 2025.

The players

Aravind Chandrasekaran

An academic leader and author who has been with the university since 2009 and served as interim dean since 2025.

The Ohio State University

A major public research university based in Columbus that oversees the Fisher College of Business.

Max M. Fisher College of Business

A business school within The Ohio State University that provides undergraduate and graduate management education.

The details

Chandrasekaran holds a PhD in Business Administration and a master's degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Minnesota. As dean, he will lead the strategic direction of the college while maintaining his existing professorial chair. The university made the announcement on October 26, 2026.

Timeline

  1. 2009: Aravind Chandrasekaran joined The Ohio State University.

  2. June 2025: Aravind Chandrasekaran began serving as interim dean.

  3. October 26, 2026: The university announced the formal appointment of the new dean.

Market Landscape

The appointment of Aravind Chandrasekaran reinforces the internal succession strategy for the leadership of the Max M. Fisher College of Business. This move aligns with the university's focus on continuity for key academic chairs like the John W. Berry, Sr. Chair in Business.

Local business operators should monitor the college's research initiatives and talent pipeline programs under the new dean's permanent administration. Relationships with university departments remain unchanged as the leadership transition awaits final approval by the Board of Trustees.

The takeaway

The formal naming of a permanent dean brings stability to the college's long-term management and research agenda. Operators should review current collaborative projects with the business school to determine if new priorities emerge following the Board of Trustees final approval process.

Further reading

For more on local leadership changes, visit People.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The American Bazaar.

Live Poll

Are local business colleges currently doing a good job preparing students for the modern workforce?