Interim dean likely to get nod for post

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Apr 28, 2005 by WAYNE HEILMAN THE GAZETTE

After nearly two years without a permanent dean of its business school, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs will fill the post today.

University of Colorado regents are expected to approve Venkateshwar Reddy, 43, who has been interim dean of the UCCS College of Business and Administration since August, as permanent dean. The appointment would be effective Sunday.

"We have reached a crossroads and have to rethink what we do. We have to ask whether we are putting out graduates who mean something to society," Reddy said Wednesday. "We are a knowledge-based society, and if we produce a work force without skills, we will be in trouble."

The last permanent dean, Joseph Rallo, left UCCS in June 2003 to become provost and academic vice president of Western Illinois University in Macomb. Gary Klein, Cougar professor of information systems, was interim dean until August, when Reddy took over.

Reddy was named to the post last week by Rogers Redding, UCCS vice chancellor for academic affairs, based on recommendations from the business school's search committee.

The committee conducted an internal search to identify candidates.

"I'm excited about the challenge," Reddy said. "My biggest emphasis will be in managing the resources of the college, campus and community and developing partnerships in different ways. That could be with other colleges and campuses and international universities."

Reddy joined the UCCS faculty in 1991, became assistant professor in 1992, associate professor in 1999 and professor of finance last year. He has been chairman of the accounting and finance department and associate dean for graduate programs and the business school.

He led development in the late 1990s of the school's Distance MBA program, which allows students to earn a master's degree in business administration online and was recognized by U.S. News and World Report in 2001 as one of the nation's top online MBA programs.

Reddy also worked with Baltimore-based T. Rowe Price Group Inc. to take the MBA program on the road this year to the company's offices in the Briargate area.

The UCCS College of Business and Administration has about 800 undergraduate and 275 graduate students enrolled in its degree programs. The school is ranked in the nation's top 30, and its graduate program is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International.

A native of Hyderabad, India, Reddy earned a bachelor's degree in India and master's and doctoral degrees from Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pa.