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SMG adds 3 new deans to develop programs

The School of Management appointed three new deans in the last week. PHOTO BY GRACE WILSON/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
The School of Management appointed three new deans in the last week. PHOTO BY GRACE WILSON/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

To keep up with expanding business in digital technology, health sciences and sustainability, Boston University’ School of Management hired three new deans to oversee programs at the school and around the world.

Kristen McCormack, the new assistant dean of sector initiatives, said the primary objective of the new deans is to customize students’ learning to provide more in-depth and applicable experience.

“These fields cross every industry whether it’s the use of digital technology in any industry, the impact of climate change on any industry or the impact of healthcare accessibility,” McCormack said. “These are all forces happening across the world that affect the global economy, so our role is to make sure students gain the deep, practical experience and functional excellence.”

SMG officials announced the new deans in two Feb. 21 press releases and one Feb. 20 press release. David Nersessian will become assistant dean of global programs and Deborah Marlino, will become associate dean for academic affairs and student programs.

McCormack said she was the Faculty Director for Public and Nonprofit Management program prior to being promoted. She has been at BU for 12 years and started her new position two weeks ago.

“Providing students with an opportunity to gain tools to solve global problems makes me really excited,” she said. “It’s about having a positive social impact, and most of the issues and the crises we are facing on a global scale like the decline of natural resources or fundamental models can be solved by business.”

Nersessian said in an email his first day as assistant dean Wednesday was a wonderful experience because he can now give back to BU, his alma mater.

“My goal is to spend a great deal of time listening to my administrative and faculty colleagues and to students to help formulate SMG’s global strategy,” he said. “Our priorities will be anchored within the One BU concept and the globalization endeavors at the university level.”

Nersessian said his responsibilities entail broadening efforts to expand global engagement opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

He said he wants to make abroad offerings, graduate seminars and collaborations with other universities available to SMG students.

“Fortunately for me, globalization is a priority for both SMG and the University, which creates tremendous opportunity for synergies within SMG — collaborations with other schools, university offices and the like,” Nersessian said.

Marlino, who is currently the associate dean for faculty and curriculum at Simmons College and will join BU in August, said she is excited about the direction SMG is taking to invest in wider business education and opportunities for students.

“I will be working with director of admissions, the assistant dean for the undergraduate program, and the assistant dean of the graduate program,” Marlino said. “I will be in charge of quality control for the student experience and the curriculum.”

Marlino said she starts in August, but she looks forward to streamlining the educational experience for both undergraduates and graduate students. She said she plans to incorporate her experience at Simmons into improving the student experience at SMG.

“I look forward to working with the faculty and administration and hopefully students to develop those plans forward,” Marlino said. “The direction SMG is taking the school is investing in a very bright future for growth.”

Margaret Waterman contributed to the reporting of this article.

CORRECTION: The article originally reported Marlino will simultaneously work at both BU and Simmons College. However, she will leave Simmons College in August to join BU. The article has been updated to reflect this correction.

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