Charlton College of Business Dean sees a treasure trove of opportunities for UMassD students
When Dean Madan Annavarjula joined the Charlton College of Business this academic year, he quickly recognized a treasure trove of opportunities. "There's immense potential to connect businesses with the classroom and, even better, take our students into the real world through partnerships," he said.
At the core of Dean Annavarjula's vision is a commitment to student success, blending academic rigor with community engagement. He believes the Charlton College of Business serves not just as a steppingstone to career achievements but as a foundation for students to make positive contributions to their communities.
"I have a simple philosophy—everything we implement here should enrich the value chain of experiences for our students," said Annavarjula. "Everything we do should be in their best interest."
Why Charlton College of Business?
"Charlton has so many opportunities. First, the students here have unique backgrounds, often as first-generation college students. I see an opportunity to make a meaningful difference for them. Second, the SouthCoast community is ripe for collaboration with local businesses, which can help our students experience the business world directly and the businesses can experience the talent pipeline we are developing."
What excites you about joining Charlton?
"First, this campus is beautiful! Over 700 acres of pristine landscape! I also enjoy meeting the students, seeing their drive, and understanding their goals and aspirations. Our talented faculty are deeply committed to student success, and I'm excited to work with them on innovative pedagogies and impactful research."
What are CCB's greatest opportunities for growth?
"I believe that Charlton can really expand in a few areas: developing and growing our graduate programs, enhancing experiential learning, building partnerships with international schools, and aiming for national recognition as a top business school committed to student success."
What's your vision for the Charlton College of Business?
"My vision is to help build a business school that's nationally recognized and ranked, and that sees students as individuals—not just ID numbers. We want to make sure each student has a clear path to success. We want to leverage our committed faculty and our strong ties to the local business community to make Charlton a top choice for both students and employers."
What made you decide you wanted to become a dean?
"Over the years as a faculty member, I loved teaching and research, but I was also involved in a lot of program-building, curriculum development, and faculty development. From that role, I saw how much impact an administrative leader could have on students—new programs, improved outcomes, internships, study abroad opportunities, and more. I thought, 'Why not take that step?' I loved the opportunity to contribute to student success on a bigger scale."
What do you enjoy about leading a business school?
"I love having the chance to make real changes. I get to bring faculty and staff together to create programs that make a difference in students' lives—inside and outside the classroom. I also enjoy working with university leaders to secure resources that support our goals and connecting with the business community to expand our students' learning beyond the classroom."