The deans of two Pitt schools announced this week that they are leaving their positions next year.
Patricia Kroboth, dean of the School of Pharmacy, and Arjang A. Assad, dean of the Katz Graduate School of Business and undergraduate College of Business Administration, will transition to faculty on June 30, 2022, according to Pittwire.
Kroboth, who has been dean of the school since 2002, and her leadership have helped the school’s advanced practice residency program rise in the U.S. News & World Report rankings from 32 to 13th. Additionally, the school’s enrollment has risen 150 percent during her tenure.
She plans to take leave before returning as a part-time professor. Read more about her tenure in Pittwire.
A national search will be conducted to identify and recommend appropriate candidates to lead the School of Pharmacy, Shekhar said.
Anantha Shekhar, Pitt’s senior vice chancellor for the Health Sciences, praised Kroboth for these and other achievements.
“I would like to thank Pat for her years of leadership and service, as well as her tremendous contributions to the Pitt Pharmacy community and to the lives of so many people in our region,” Shekhar said in Pittwire.
Assad, who has led Pitt Business since July 2015, also helped his school rise in rankings. In January, the school’s MBA program was ranked No. 30 in the world and No. 20 in the nation by the Economist. Poets & Quants also ranked the business school No. 1 in Pennsylvania. Just this month, Bloomberg’s Best Business Schools list placed Pitt’s full-time MBA program at 41st overall, a jump of 13 spots, and 17th among public schools.
Assad said he was sure the school will continue to rise in rankings after he leaves his position
“In my years as dean, I’ve had the privilege to work with some of the brightest minds in the field,” Assad said in Pittwire. “Together, Pitt Business has reached new heights. I am confident that our school will continue to ascend under a new dean with a fresh perspective. I’m also excited to continue my role as a member of our prestigious faculty and further advance our mission and develop leaders that use business as a force for social good.”
Provost Ann Cudd will announce a search for Assad’s successor in the coming weeks, and Shekhar said a national search will be conducted to find a new dean of the School of Pharmacy.