Ohio State names AI and operations scholar Aravind Chandrasekaran dean of Fisher College of Business
Fisher is refreshing its undergraduate experience to prepare students who combine digital agility with business expertise, critical thinking and leadership. The approach emphasizes applied learning and stronger connections between classroom education and industry.
Ohio State University has named Aravind Chandrasekaran (AC) dean of its Max M. Fisher College of Business, placing a scholar whose expertise includes artificial intelligence and process innovation at the helm as the college strengthens technology’s role in its undergraduate experience.
The appointment, announced Oct. 22, is pending approval by Ohio State’s Board of Trustees. Chandrasekaran has served as interim dean since June 2025 and will continue to hold the John W. Berry, Sr. Chair in Business.
Why it matters
Fisher is working to prepare students to become “business-technology integrators” — graduates who combine digital agility with the critical thinking needed to address business challenges.
Under Chandrasekaran’s leadership, the college is refreshing its undergraduate curriculum, introducing business learning earlier in students’ college careers and strengthening connections between classroom education and real-world application.
The technology emphasis is part of a broader approach that pairs business expertise with analytical thinking, communication and leadership. The announcement does not specify new AI courses, technical requirements or software tools students will use.
The research connection
Chandrasekaran brings expertise spanning AI, healthcare operations and process innovation — areas that connect technology with how organizations deliver services and improve their work.
He joined Ohio State in 2009 and has held leadership roles across Fisher’s graduate and executive programs. The university described him as an award-winning scholar and author of two books.
His appointment puts that research background alongside responsibility for the college’s curriculum, industry engagement and support for faculty research and innovation.
“AC has demonstrated a deep commitment to Fisher and a clear understanding of the role a great business college in Ohio can play,” said Trevor Brown, Ohio State’s interim executive vice president and provost.
The framework
The college’s approach is organized around the Fisher Advantage, a framework intended to develop four capabilities across industries:
- Business expertise.
- Analytical and innovative problem-solving.
- Effective communication.
- Resilient, growth-oriented leadership.
Rather than presenting digital agility as a stand-alone specialty, Fisher’s stated goal connects it with the broader skills students need to apply business knowledge in practice.
Industry connections
The college is also strengthening talent and workforce development partnerships with companies and industries locally, nationally and globally.
Chandrasekaran said Fisher has built momentum in improving the student experience, deepening industry engagement and investing in faculty, staff, research and innovation.
“This progress belongs to the many talented and dedicated people at Fisher who have helped bring our vision to life,” he said.
