Following a nationwide search, Janet A. Lenaghan was appointed dean of the Frank G. Zarb School of Business, effective immediately. With plans to utilize the new facility, diversify the programs offered and foster meaningful faculty and student relationships, Lenaghan’s appointment to this role marks a major milestone – she is the first female dean in the top-ranking school’s 50-year history.
Having previously served as a professor of management and entrepreneurship as well as the acting dean, Lenaghan brings experience and understanding to her new role.
“Dean Lenaghan is an exceptional scholar, an experienced administrator and a natural leader, with the tenacity and the dynamism to lead Zarb into a new era of excellence,” President Stuart Rabinowitz said in a statement to the University. “She has the ability to lead faculty, connect alumni, forge new partnerships with businesses and relate to student needs. She possesses all of the traits and skills necessary to ensure the Zarb School of Business continues to thrive.”
“When former Dean [Herman] Berliner went over to the Provost’s Office, I really looked at it as an opportunity to continue to grow at Hofstra and I think that’s one of the tremendous benefits of this University, both from the students’ perspectives and employee perspectives,” Lenaghan said. “There’s just a lot of opportunit[es] to grow and develop if you’re willing to take advantage of them when they present themselves.”
Lenaghan has worked at Hofstra for 30 years, initially beginning her career in administration.
“My background as being a human resources expert is something where I truly have always valued diversity and recognized the inherent benefits of that,” Lenaghan said. “That’s something Hofstra has always prided itself on and something the Zarb school … will continue to do … certainly through our curriculum design and innovative programs and different club experiences and community events.”
As dean, Lenaghan hopes to continue educating the future business leaders of the world. “I think the way we continue to do that is working with our terrific faculty … continuing to support all that they’re doing in the classroom,” she said. “I think one of the core tenants of a Zarb education is really the faculty-student connection … Your learning doesn’t stop just because you walk out of a classroom, it’s those continuing discussions that you have with faculty.”
Lenaghan is no stranger to success in the Zarb school. She received the Teacher of the Year Award in both 2003 and 2016 and has taught many classes at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
“It’s their building, and I think that’s critically important. There are so many great opportunities in this building that the students will be a part of,” Lenaghan said. “We talk a lot in our classes about evidence-based decision making, and this is yet another tool … the students need to know this building is there for them and I encourage them to take advantage of every opportunity it presents.”
