Raj Agnihotri has been named the next Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business. He will begin his service July 1.
Raj Agnihotri
Agnihotri (AG-knee-HOE-tree) currently serves in the college as Mary Warner Fellow, Morrill Professor of marketing and assistant dean for industry engagement. He will succeed David Spalding, who a year ago announced his intention to retire from the role this summer.
"Dr. Agnihotri is an accomplished researcher and student-centric leader. He has the experience and vision to advance business education and strengthen our entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem to benefit Iowa's economy," said President Wendy Wintersteen. "I am confident he will continue elevating the reputation of the Ivy College of Business, both nationally and globally, and build on the excellent momentum created by Dean David Spalding."
Agnihotri is the founding director of the Ivy Sales Forum and the college's inaugural assistant dean for industry engagement. He has received numerous awards for his teaching and research, and is a co-author of "ABCs of Relationship Selling through Service," a textbook used in sales classes around the world.
"It is a profound honor to be selected as the next Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Ivy College," Agnihotri said. "I am committed to serving our students, providing an excellent education that prepares them for professional success, and to upholding the college's tradition of excellence in research. I look forward to collaborating with the faculty, staff, students, partners and alumni to reach new heights."
Agnihotri earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from the University of Pune in India, an MBA in management from Oklahoma City University, and a Ph.D. in marketing from Kent State University, Ohio. He has served at Iowa State since 2018 and in his current role as assistant dean since 2024. Prior positions include appointments at the University of Texas, Arlington, and Ohio University, Athens.
In making the announcement, senior vice president and provost Jason Keith expressed his thanks to the search committee, led by associate provost for academic programs Ann Marie VanDerZanden and College of Veterinary Medicine dean Dan Grooms, and to the Business college's faculty and staff for their thoughtful consideration of candidates.
