CBE announces new associate dean and director of undergraduate programs

Katrina Zalatan, dean of experiential and integrative learning at Hartwick College, will join Lehigh’s College of Business and Economics as its next associate dean and director of undergraduate programs on July 1.
A scholar and administrator with interests in leadership development, group dynamics and undergraduate curriculum development, Zalatan brings a rich background in experiential learning to Lehigh. She was honored as a Mellon Faculty Fellow for the 2006-2007 academic year before ascending to her current leadership position.
In addition to her tasks as dean, Zalatan has also taken on interim provost responsibilities in Hartwick College’s Office of Academic Affairs and currently serves as an academic affairs liaison to the college’s board of trustees.
Her professional career spans both higher education and the private sector, including a nine-year stint at Eastman Kodak Company where she served in a range of marketing leadership posts.
'A fantastic addition to the Lehigh community'
Zalatan was one of nearly 100 national applicants for the position. Her focus on career development and integrated learning at Hartwick College was of particular interest to Paul R. Brown, dean of Lehigh’s College of Business and Economics.
“Katrina brings a diverse higher education and private sector background that will be critically important as we continue to strengthen our student learning opportunities here and abroad,” Brown says. “She is creative and talented, and will be a fantastic addition to the Lehigh community.”
In her new role, she will facilitate necessary long-term strategic planning and undergraduate curriculum development for the college. Brown also says that Zalatan will play an instrumental role in shaping the college’s international learning experience while strengthening the college’s ties among its alumni and donor communities.
“Lehigh’s College of Business and Economics has built such a strong reputation with its rigorous, relevant and demanding curriculum,” Zalatan says. “Today’s students need to think strategically about their career opportunities, and Lehigh has done an exceptional job of creating a learning environment that extends far beyond the classroom.”
“I not only look forward to working along with some of the nation’s most creative business students, but also with an extremely talented business faculty widely known for their strong commitment to their students,” she says.
Zalatan holds a master's in instructional systems design from Florida State University, a master's in business administration from the William E. Simon Graduate School of the University of Rochester, and a Ph.D. in organizational studies from the University of Albany, State University of New York. As dean of experiential and integrative learning, she oversees service learning, student research and scholarships for experiential learning, career development, and off-campus academic programming.
Hartwick College is a liberal arts college in Oneonta, New York, that has established a national reputation for its unconventional and integrated learning experiences. Its study abroad program and the college’s unusual January Term have been cited as a model for off-campus educational opportunities.
‘Thanks for a job well done’
Zalatan will succeed Joseph Manzo, currently interim associate dean. During much of the past academic year, Manzo has guided the undergraduate programs office at a time when the global financial crisis caused the nation’s business schools to re-evaluate their course and programmatic offerings.
He was also instrumental in launching the college’s core course addressing business ethics, an incredibly timely offering given the current economic and financial crisis.
Brown says Manzo was well-suited for the interim role and performed exceptionally during the unpredictable transition period.
“Joseph did more than provide steady leadership over the course of the academic year,” Brown says . “He helped to strengthen our curriculum and reinforce our commitment to our students and their educational experience. I join my colleagues in saying thanks for a job well done.”
Manzo will continue as the interim associate dean until Zalatan joins Lehigh on July 1.
The college-led search committee was co-chaired by Ken Sinclair, professor of accounting and senior advisor to the dean and Marty Saffer, associate dean for graduate programs. Stephen Buell, professor of finance, and Catherine Ridings, associate professor of management, also served on the committee.
--Tom Yencho