REDLANDS>> The University of Redlands announced today that Thomas A. Horan, previously dean of the Claremont Graduate School’s (CGU) Drucker School of Management, has been named dean of University of Redlands School of Business, effective July 1.
“We are delighted that Tom is bringing his energy, enthusiasm, and expertise at the intersection of business and technology to Redlands,” said U of R President Ralph Kuncl. “We offer him a warm welcome and look forward to his leadership and entrepreneurship at the School of Business.”
“After a national search, we are pleased Tom has agreed to join us,” added Provost Kathy Ogren. “I am confident Tom will provide galvanizing leadership to the University’s strategic efforts to foster high-quality business education as we navigate our ever-changing educational environment. Tom’s expert background in geographic information systems (GIS) also brings us new vision and direction as a ‘spatial university,’ which is greatly valued by our students and faculty.”
Horan, who in addition to dean will hold the position of H. Jess and Donna Colton Senecal Endowed Dean’s Chair, said, “Employers today want to hire people with both a broad perspective and specific skills. As a business school in a liberal arts environment, the U of R School of Business is uniquely suited to help students acquire both kinds of assets. I am excited to become an active part of the U of R community and to getting to know students, faculty and alumni.”
Horan also said he was interested in leveraging the school’s technology offerings, including its master of science in information technology (MSIT) and cross-disciplinary GIS curriculum. “GIS is everywhere at the U of R, and that was another significant attractor,” Horan noted.
A graduate of University of Vermont, Burlington (B.A., Psychology, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) and CGU (Master of Public Policy; Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology and Technology), Horan has worked at CGU for more than 20 years. There, he co-directed the institution’s big data and creativity-innovation initiatives from 2014 to 2016, was dean and director of School of Information Systems and Technology from 2011 to 2015, and held the position of dean of the Drucker School of Management and director of Center for Information Systems and Technology from 2015 to 2016, before taking a sabbatical leave in spring 2017.
Horan’s experience includes designing, testing and assessing major innovations. These innovations have involved cloud-based, geo-spatial and mobile applications in health, transportation and education sectors. He has more than 130 publications in major journals such as Management Information Systems Quarterly, Visual Information Systems and Communications of the ACM.
Horan’s work has been featured at the U.S. White House, and his research has been sponsored by numerous organizations, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, California HealthCare Foundation, Blue Shield Foundation, U.S. Social Security Administration, National Science Foundation, United Nations Development Corporation, Mayo Clinic, Kay Family Foundation, Salesforce.com and Getty Leadership Institute.
He has also been a visiting scholar at Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Hawaii and University of Minnesota and has served in numerous advisory positions in the United States, Middle East and Asia.
The University of Redlands School of Business offers both graduate and undergraduate degrees designed for the needs of professionals who endeavor to advance their careers. Currently more than 1,700 students are enrolled in locations throughout Southern California, including the award-winning 160-acre campus in Redlands. Programs are held at times convenient for working professionals and offer practical, real-world insights into the issues shaping the modern business sector. Management best practices, ethical problem solving, information technology and critical thinking are addressed to foster a broad business perspective needed for students to become effective managers and business leaders in society.
For more information on the University of Redlands School of Business, see http://www.redlands.edu/study/schools-and-centers/school-of-business