Categories: College University Athletics

LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business Searches for New Dean

A lively atmosphere at LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business, where future leaders are prepared.

News Summary

LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business is on the lookout for a new dean, with interviews scheduled between April 6 and April 17. The search committee has narrowed it down to four impressive candidates, including leaders in business education who bring diverse experiences and achievements. This transition comes as the current dean, Jared Llorens, steps down after a notable tenure that included significant contributions to the college’s growth. The upcoming interviews promise a thrilling chapter for the college’s future.

Exciting Changes Ahead at LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business!

In the lovely city of Baton Rouge, there’s a lot of buzz surrounding LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business! The hunt for the new dean is on, and it’s happening soon—between April 6 and April 17. This is an important time for the college as they search for someone to lead them into an exciting future.

What’s Happening?

The search committee just shared the details, and everyone is eager to see who the new leader will be. Jared Llorens, the current dean who took the reins in October 2020, served as interim dean before that from July 2020. Llorens has had quite an impressive career! He was even appointed by President Joe Biden to the U.S. Federal Salary Council in May 2022. But now, it’s time for a new face to step in.

Meet the Candidates!

The committee has whittled down the list to four exceptional candidates who will be interviewed in the coming weeks. Let’s get to know them a little better, shall we?

Lara Khansa: She’s currently the associate dean for faculty affairs and human resources at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business. Khansa is a rock star in business information technology and has played a huge role in bumping up student enrollment by an impressive 50%! Not to mention, she revamped the curriculum to help students get ready for their careers.
Ronn Smith: Hailing from the University of Wyoming, Smith is the senior associate dean and teaches marketing. He has a wealth of experience in administrative roles at the university. Before Wyoming, he spent 14 years at the University of Arkansas, ensuring he knows a thing or two about what it takes to lead a business school effectively!
Kaushik Dutta: Currently working as the associate dean at the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business, Dutta is also a professor. He manages the college’s School of Information Systems and Management, overseeing an eye-popping 7,000 undergraduate business students! He was instrumental in launching Florida’s first AI program in business education, showing he’s ready to tackle modern challenges head-on!
Russell Crook: Crook is the current head of the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business. As a distinguished professor, he has earned accolades for his teaching and contributions to service. His experience as a past president of the Southern Management Association is quite the feather in his cap!

The Path Ahead

As the college prepares for these interviews, everyone is filled with hope and excitement about finally moving forward. Each candidate brings their unique experience and achievements, showing a fantastic range of expertise. With Llorens stepping down after an impactful tenure, the upcoming decision is crucial for the future direction of the E.J. Ourso College of Business.

A Bit About Jared Llorens

Before taking on the dean role, Jared Llorens was the chair of the Department of Public Administration at LSU. With a rich academic background, including a Ph.D. in public administration from the University of Georgia and valuable experience with the U.S. Department of Labor, he has certainly made his mark on the college. He’s well-respected in various circles for his research focus on human resource management.

What’s Next?

As the clock ticks down to April 6, the excitement in Baton Rouge continues to build. With these four amazing candidates ready to show what they can bring to the table, there’s no telling just how bright the future can be for LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business. Stay tuned as the process unfolds, and let’s hope for a leader who will guide the college into new and innovative horizons!