The Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration (JHBC) welcomed its new dean, Tomás Gómez-Arias, this week. He will oversee the regionally, nationally and internationally recognized and accredited college, which offers 18 concentrations and six graduate programs.

“It is an honor to serve as dean of the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration at a time of such drastic change in higher education, business, government, and society at large,” Gómez-Arias said. “With such an extraordinarily diverse student body, dedicated and creative faculty and staff, supportive alumni and community members, the JHBC is well positioned to expand its regional and global impact. Together, we will lead the JHBC to its next level, and elevate the academic and professional success of our students, and the economic vitality of the region.”

Gómez-Arias was selected in January after a comprehensive national search. He replaces Shanthi Srinivas, professor emerita, who has been interim dean for the past year.

Prior to joining the pack, Gómez-Arias served as the dean of the College of Business Administration at California State University, Stanislaus. There, he successfully led the college to AACSB reaccreditation; increased four-year and two-year graduation rates in the college while reducing achievement gaps for URM and Pell students; secured philanthropic funding for “Champions of the American Dream,” an event honoring regional entrepreneurs, and the Warrior Entrepreneurship Initiative; grew MBA enrollments by 70%; and partnered with several organizations to launch a Latino Leadership Initiative.

Previously, he served at Saint Mary’s College of California and held leadership positions that included chief diversity officer, associate dean for faculty and research, chair of the marketing department and director of the MS in business analytics.

“We are delighted to have Dr. Gómez-Arias, an individual of exceptional business academic caliber and public sector experience, join our campus as the dean of the Jack H. Brown College,” said CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales. “We look forward to his leadership in leading JHBC to its increased potential as one of the leading business colleges in the CSU, the state and the nation.”

Gómez-Arias says he looks forward to working with the pack and the community on ensuring the success of new programs and continuing to develop JHBC’s portfolio of offerings. Here are just a few priorities for the upcoming academic year:

  • Increasing partnerships and opportunities. This includes a new BA completion program supported by Stater Bros. Markets; inclusive regional economic development shared by Inland Empire Growth and Opportunity (IEGO) and partners; and international education and university partnerships.
  • Keeping the process of the Information and Decision Sciences Department becoming the School of Cyber and Decision Sciences on track and come to fruition.
  • Working with the newly hired chair of the Department of Public Administration to envision how the department can increase its already significant impact.
  • As COVID-19 restrictions ease, seeing that the Hospitality Management program is ready to expand exponentially at the Palm Desert Campus.
  • Keeping philanthropic support a priority as the university continues a comprehensive campaign, where several JHBC projects are a key part.
  • Working on a School of Entrepreneurship naming gift to bring the school to a new level.
  • Continuing and enhancing student services through upcoming changes.
  • Attention to AACSB and NASPAA review visits in 2024 to renew college accreditations.
  • Working on strategic planning since the current plan expires in 2023, focusing on the future and defining what the JHBC will be in 2028.

“Please connect. I am looking forward to meeting all of you,” Gómez-Arias says. “And exploring how we can collaborate in making our student experience better and our communities more vibrant.”

About the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration
 The Jack H. Brown College holds prestigious accreditation by both the AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and NASPAA, the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration. It is consistently ranked among the top MBA and MPA programs. Its graduate program in entrepreneurship and innovation, along with accounting and information technology programs have also recently been recognized. The JHBC is also known for its leadership in cybersecurity education, training and talent-building as well as launching the first and only School of Entrepreneurship in California.