UA Names Alumnus Leonard M. Jessup Dean of the Eller College of Management
Jessup will begin his tenure as dean in May. He is chair of the department of entrepreneurship and information systems and director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Washington State University.

Johnny Cruz
Jan. 24, 2011


The University of Arizona has named Leonard M. Jessup, chair of the department of entrepreneurship and information systems and director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Washington State University, the new dean of the Eller College of Management. Jessup will begin his tenure as dean in May.

Jessup is an alumnus of the UA and the Eller College, where he completed his doctoral studies in management and organizational behavior and management information systems.

"We are enthusiastic to welcome our accomplished alumnus, Len Jessup, to the position of dean of the Eller College of Management," said UA President Robert N. Shelton. "Dr. Jessup's breadth of experience in high-level leadership positions is an excellent fit for the college and the University." 

"I have long felt that the Eller College can and should be considered among the very best in the nation," said Jessup. "I am passionate about taking on the professional challenge of helping to bring the Eller College to its next level of success. All of the ingredients are in place, and I see the Eller College as a critical driver of the success of the UA, Tucson and the state."

"Len Jessup is exactly the right person to lead our highly-regarded Eller College of Management to even greater heights," said UA Provost Meredith Hay. "His distinguished record as a faculty member, administrator and fundraiser are ideal for this important role at the UA."

In 2000, Jessup was recruited from a tenured faculty position at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University to head the department of management information systems at Washington State University. During more than a decade at WSU, he served in a variety of leadership roles, including dean of the College of Business, vice president of university development and president of the WSU Foundation.

During his three-year tenure as dean of the WSU College of Business, Jessup led a significant elevation of the school's reputation, successfully oversaw its reaccreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and developed and launched an ambitious, new strategic plan.

In his role at the WSU Foundation, Jessup led the transformation of the university's fundraising efforts, which resulted in significant improvements in fundraising, board member giving, and numbers of donors. During his tenure, the groundwork was also put in place for the university's largest comprehensive campaign, which was recently publicly launched.

Jessup replaces former dean Paul Portney, who stepped down this month to join the faculty of the UA department of economics, and takes over for McClelland Professor of Accounting Leslie Eldenburg, who is serving as interim dean.

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Liz Warren-Pederson

Eller College of Management

520-626-9547

news@eller.arizona.edu