Manoj Malhotra, the newly minted Kevin L. and Lisa A. Clayton Dean of the College of Business, joined Lehigh’s leadership on July 1, 2024. Malhotra follows in the footsteps of Dean Georgette Chapman Phillips, who retired in June after two five-year appointments. As Malhotra’s tenure began, he discussed what he sees as the strengths and opportunities for the college, and what he’s most excited about in his new role.
What do you see as the core pillars on which the Lehigh College of Business is built?
I see Lehigh Business as built on the strength of five pillars: undergraduate programs, graduate programs, Ph.D. programs, faculty research and excellence, and executive education. We are stronger in some areas than others, but I see nothing but opportunity in the areas where we can grow.
We have already established a strong presence and reputation in undergraduate programs, which we will continue to enhance. Our students are good critical thinkers and have solid connections to Wall Street. Our faculty quality and research productivity are on the rise, and we have a growing momentum that I am keen to build upon. I think we have opportunities for more expansion in our graduate and Ph.D. programs. The university’s goal is to triple the enrollment of graduate students in 10 years, and I hope that the College of Business will be a significant part of that attainment.
We have an opportunity to expand our footprint in the executive education space. There is natural interconnectivity between executive education and graduate programs. They can pivot off each other. When you have better relationships with companies, they are interested in more of their managers coming and recruiting from the ranks of our graduates. I think it’s a virtuous cycle that, if strengthened and sustained, will allow us to make strong investments in the future for our graduates.
What is a particular piece of the work that you are most looking forward to digging into?
I’m looking forward to raising the visibility of the college and the brand. There are a lot more good things happening here in the Lehigh Valley than people know about. In terms of student outcomes, we punch way above our weight class. Those who know us, they think the world of us and know about the great outcomes we have here, but there is a knowledge gap in terms of branding and awareness.
What are some new or exciting developments at Lehigh Business that people may not be aware of?
Artificial intelligence (AI) has its challenges and opportunities, but it is here to stay, and we need to responsibly embrace it in order to remain competitive and ahead of the curve. At Lehigh Business, we continue to consider the intersection between generative AI and business, and what the implications are for our students and the sector. There is ongoing faculty research in this area, and I’m about to appoint an AI coordinator to interface with the other colleges. We have also launched a new data department, so we are diligently working to hire a stellar chair of that department this year.
Story by Katelyn Silva
