Sy Syms School of Business Seeks New Dean

At the beginning of the semester, Yeshiva University published a job posting seeking the next Dean of the Sy Syms School of Business (SSSB).

According to a seven-page brief about the position, the new dean oversees a $7.6 million annual budget and will be particularly involved in expanding the school’s graduate offerings, including its Sunday Executive Masters in Business Administration degree program. The dean is also expected to assist in donor and alumni relations efforts, in addition to shepherding the University through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business’ continuous improvement review process.

”We want someone who is familiar with the culture of Yeshiva University, familiar with the mission of Yeshiva University and will be able to get people into great graduate schools,” said Dr. Moses Pava, SSSB’s Honors and Entrepreneurial Leadership Program Director and the Alvin Einbender Professor of Business Ethics, who himself previously served as SSSB Dean

Another requirement that the University administration seeks from the new Syms Dean is someone who can continue growing the institution as a whole. “Appreciative of the aspirations of a 21st-century business school, the dean will focus not only on the undergraduate majors but also on expanding master’s education,” Provost Selma Botman said.

To assist in the recruitment process, the University retained Isaacson Miller, a Boston-based executive search firm.

According to Interim Syms Dean Michael Strauss, the plan is for the new dean to begin on July 1, 2019. Accordingly, this academic year will be Strauss’ last in his current position. Following the appointment of a new dean, Strauss will become the Associate Dean.

“You’re a name. We know you. You are not a number,” Strauss said, reflecting on his tenure as Syms Interim Dean. Strauss specifically told The Commentator about his efforts to reduce class sizes, bolster his availability to students and integrate contemporary Judaic studies into the Syms curriculum.

Photo Credit: Yeshiva University
Photo Caption: Syms Interim Dean Michael Strauss