Leadership

The leadership of the Lerner College is committed to offering distinctive, innovative educational opportunities related to the successful leadership of organizations operating in an environment of rapid change, global competition and advances in technology.

Oliver Yao, Dean

Oliver Yao was appointed dean of UD’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics on June 27, 2023. Yao will begin his tenure as dean on Aug. 1. He previously served as interim deputy provost for graduate education and associate dean for graduate programs of the College of Business at Lehigh University and was an esteemed business faculty member.

“I am honored and thrilled to be appointed as the dean of the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics,” Yao said. “The Lerner College has demonstrated excellence in both research and education with great achievements over the past decade. I look forward to working with President Assanis and Provost Carlson to continue this progress. Together with the exceptional faculty, dedicated staff, talented students and accomplished alumni, along with the support from the broader University of Delaware communities, we will nurture future business leaders who will take on the world’s most pressing challenges, empowered by a UD education that embraces and values a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.”

Yao joins UD Lerner following 20 years at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he served in numerous faculty and administrative appointments. Yao was the George N. Beckwith ’32 Professor in the Lehigh College of Business and, most recently, supported Lehigh as its interim deputy provost for graduate education since February 2020. In the latter role, Yao had oversight of all issues related to graduate programs and graduate students, charged also with developing strategies to grow graduate enrollment and enhance the graduate student experience. Simultaneously, beginning in July 2018, Yao served as the College of Business associate dean for graduate programs. In this role, he managed graduate recruitment, operations, student services, career services, marketing and communications, and curriculum development.

For three years, from 2015-2018, Yao also chaired Lehigh’s Department of Management, responsible for recruiting and retaining faculty; overseeing research and all undergraduate programs; establishing funding support for faculty workshops and research; and growing enrollment.

His research interests are focused on the interdisciplinary fields of information systems and operations management, and Yao’s research has been published in such journals as Management Science, Information Systems Research and MIS Quarterly. He also holds editorial appointments with Productions and Operations Management and Information Systems Research.

Yao earned his doctorate from the University of Maryland, received an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and completed his undergraduate studies at China’s Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

The Lerner Dean’s Advisory Council (DAC)

This advisory group works at the bidding of the Dean to support his efforts to promote the effectiveness of the instructional programs of Lerner’s departments and centers. They discharge all University policies and the regulations adopted by the University, and function as liaisons between the Dean and the departments, centers and programs they lead.

DAC Members

• Rick Andrews, senior associate dean for faculty
• Adrienne Lucas, department chair of economics
• Jack J. Baroudi, senior associate dean for academic programs
• Ruma Beldona, senior assistant dean for graduate programs
• Srikanth Beldona, department chair of hospitality and sport business management
• Mike Evans, director of college computing operations
• Julia Bayuk, associate dean of curriculum
• Jay Coughenour, interim department chair of finance
• Jennifer Hendrickson, director of communications and marketing
• Hemant Kher, department chair of business administration
• Sheryl Kline, deputy dean
• Carolyn Levine, department chair of accounting & management information systems
• Jill Pante, director of career services
• Maria Poole, chief business officer
• Kimberly Wilson, assistant dean for student services

The Lerner College benefits from the many contributions of the Dean’s Advisory Council which is focused on helping Lerner enhance its reputation as a top choice for business education among students and employers. Composed of senior executives and thought leaders from Delaware and beyond, the Dean’s Advisory Council provides guidance to the Dean and College leadership on matters of community and corporate engagement.

The New York City (NYC) Dean’s Advisory Council

The NYC Dean’s Advisory Council consists of alumni and friends from the business and higher education communities in the greater NYC area. These successful business owners and executives and education thought leaders advise and support the Dean regarding the College’s strategic plan. This group meets quarterly to advise the Dean regarding planning, marketing, fundraising and other strategic initiatives.

Advisory Board

The Advisory Board provides strategic guidance to Lerner leadership to support efforts to make Lerner a prominent business school known for successful graduate and undergraduate programs, research visibility and innovative programming. Board members include distinguished public and private sector leaders with diverse interests and occupations. These influential individuals help maintain and enhance the quality of Lerner’s people and programs and support Lerner by donating time, expertise and money to the college.

Alumni Advisory Board

The Alumni Advisory Board is composed of a diverse group of Lerner College graduates from different geographic locations, class years, occupations and interests. In addition to providing guidance to the Lerner leadership, the Alumni Board promotes the advancement of the college by engaging other alumni and encouraging their support of Lerner’s programs and its students through engagement, service and giving. Alumni who are interested in participating in Lerner College programs or obtaining information about the Alumni Advisory Board are encouraged to email rcoffin@udel.edu.

Lerner College Student Advisory Board

The Lerner College Student Advisory Board is a 10-12 member committee that strives to improve academic quality, professional experience, extracurricular enrichment and student satisfaction.