Wright State University has appointed Indian American educator Rajneesh Suri as the next dean of Fairborn, Ohio-based Raj Soin College of Business, signaling a new chapter of leadership for one of the region’s premier business institutions.
Suri, an accomplished academic with a deep background in marketing and consumer behavior and a vision centered on student success and community integration takes over his new role on July 1.
University provost Amy Thompson praised Suri’s extensive experience and his proven ability to foster collaborative environments. She noted that his forward-thinking approach is exactly what the college needs to enhance its reputation and expand its reach in a competitive academic market.
An Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta alumnus, Suri joins Wright State from Drexel University in Philadelphia, where he most recently served as senior vice provost for academic industry partnerships and founding academic director of the Drexel Solutions Institute and the Innovation Engine.
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In these roles, he provided strategic leadership for university-wide academic–industry engagement, connecting faculty and students with corporate, nonprofit, and community partners through applied research, professional training, and experiential learning opportunities. He also founded the Center for Neuro-Business in Drexel’s LeBow College of Business, connecting faculty with industry partners on applied research and curriculum.
His work has frequently bridged the gap between complex theoretical research and practical, real-world application. At the heart of his philosophy is the belief that a business college should serve as an engine for local economic development while providing students with the agility to succeed globally.
Suri expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, highlighting the strong foundation already in place at the Raj Soin College of Business. He intends to build upon the school’s existing strengths in supply chain management, accountancy, and entrepreneurship.
Suri is particularly focused on creating more experiential learning opportunities, ensuring that graduates are not just degree-holders, but seasoned professionals ready to tackle industry challenges on day one.
He also emphasized the importance of the human element in business. In an era increasingly dominated by data and automation, Suri believes that leadership, ethics, and interpersonal communication remain the most vital skills for the next generation of CEOs and innovators. He plans to engage closely with the Dayton business community to ensure the curriculum remains aligned with the needs of local employers.
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Faculty and staff have welcomed the news, citing Suri’s reputation for transparency and his commitment to inclusive excellence. As he takes the helm, the Wright State community anticipates a period of renewed energy and strategic growth.
Suri succeeds a legacy of leadership that has defined the college for years. His tenure marks a pivotal moment for Wright State as it continues to adapt to the post-pandemic educational environment, focusing on digital transformation and sustainable business practices.
With Suri at the lead, the Raj Soin College of Business aims to solidify its status as a cornerstone of the Miami Valley’s intellectual and economic landscape.
Suri earned a PhD in marketing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Delhi.