Michigan Ross welcomes Professor Sharon Matusik to the role of Edward J. Frey Dean of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business in a five-year, renewable term that begins August 1, 2022. Matusik joins the Ann Arbor business school from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder.
“Professor Matusik is a distinguished scholar and teacher whose foci include strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship,” Provost Laurie McCauley said. “As an academic leader, she has a strong record of accomplishment in critical areas – student success, diversifying the faculty, campus and community engagement – that will contribute to Michigan Ross achieving its goals.”
Matusik brings with her a record of success from Leeds. Beginning as an assistant professor there in 2004, she became a full professor of strategy and entrepreneurship 10 years on. She also served as senior associate dean for faculty and research and the academic director of the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship. She has received multiple awards for research, teaching, and service, including the Excellence in Leadership Award from the University of Colorado four-campus system.
Once she was appointed dean of the Leeds School of Business, she brought together the b-school and the university’s College of Engineering and Applied Science to plan, fundraise for and complete a new building that connected the two schools. Her efforts in achieving gender parity in business leadership and supporting students for long-term career success are also credits to her values and innovation. Ross also reports other milestones under Matusik’s leadership at Leeds, including record-breaking fundraising and community engagement, two new MBA programs for working professionals, and an increase in research faculty by 41%, which included a significant increase in diversity.
Matusik takes on the role of dean at Michigan Ross from interim dean, Francine Lafontaine. Scott DeRue had stepped down as dean in 2021.
“When I reflect on the transformational ideas in my field, the most influential mentors, and my teaching role models, they have a Ross connection,” Matusik said. “What unites them all is a deep commitment to making an important impact. It is truly my honor to work with the Ross community to further elevate this impact through students, research, and community connections, and to lead Ross as its next dean.”
