Anand S. Desai has been named dean of the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University.

Desai has more than three decades of academic experience, with the past 17 years being in academic leadership. His current position is associate dean for academic administration at Kansas State University.

“I am truly excited that Dr. Anand Desai will be joining us as the dean of the Barton School of Business,” said Provost and Senior Vice President Tony Vizzini. “His expertise and experience will strengthen the very foundation of the business school, allowing it to reach new heights. His leadership is especially needed as we continue to grow this Innovation University.”

Desai will assume leadership of the Barton School in July, following the departure of interim dean James Jordan-Wagner.

"I am honored to be selected to serve as the next dean of the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University,” said Desai. “President Bardo has articulated a clear vision for WSU, and I am looking forward to working with him and other senior leadership of the university to make this vision a reality. The central role that the Barton School of Business will play on the Innovation Campus is particularly exciting.

"It is also abundantly clear to me that the Barton School has very talented faculty and staff who share a passion for the school and the university. As dean, I will work with them and engage the business community to focus on applied learning and research, thereby bringing national recognition to Wichita State University."

Prior to joining Kansas State in 1994, Desai was on the finance faculty at the University of Florida, University of Michigan and Iowa State University. His teaching interests are in corporate finance, investments and derivative markets, and he has taught finance courses in Germany, Italy and France.

His research has focused on capital market efficiency, capital market reactions to corporate acquisitions and market microstructure. Two of his co-authored research papers published in the “Journal of Financial Economics” are widely cited as seminal papers in the area of corporate acquisitions.

As head of the finance department at KSU, Desai recruited high quality faculty, increased private funding for both scholarships and faculty support, and grew the department’s advisory board. In 2008, he was appointed associate dean and director of undergraduate programs. In this capacity, he directed the recruitment, retention and advising of undergraduate students, and provided leadership in ensuring a current and relevant undergraduate curriculum in business.

As associate dean for academic administration, he was responsible for the fiscal management of the college’s state and private resources, scholarships, strategic planning and accreditation. Desai has also played a key role in the design of the new business building at Kansas State University and has extensive experience engaging alumni and business partners in the college’s progress.

Desai and his wife, Jayshree, enjoy traveling in their free time and exploring different cuisines. They have two grown sons.