July 7, 1997
For Immediate Release
Contact: Marsha Gear (619) 594-4501
Dr. Michael Hergert named Dean of SDSU's College of Business Administration
Dr. Michael L. Hergert has been appointed Dean of the College of Business Administration at San Diego State University effective July 1. The announcement was made by SDSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Ronald Hopkins.
Hergert, 42, succeeds Dr. Allan R. Bailey, who has stepped down after serving as Dean of the College for 18 years. Bailey plans to return to teaching in the College.
Hergert is a Professor of Management and has been serving as Associate Dean and Director for Graduate Programs in the College of Business Administration for the past two years. Previously he served as Chairman of the Department of Management in the College. He is co-founder and co-director of the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), the MEXUS (a dual degree program with Mexico) program and Project North America (an educational NAFTA) at SDSU. Hergert is also co-founder of SDSU's International Business program, one of the largest in the nation. Since 1989, he has been project director or co-director of more than $2 million in grants.
In making the announcement, Hopkins said, "The University has conducted a thorough national search for this position. We are confident that Dr. Hergert is the best person for this strategic position and are absolutely delighted to have Dr. Hergert's talents and skills to help lead the College of Business Administration into the next century."
SDSU's President Dr. Stephen Weber said, "Dr. Hergert's leadership in SDSU's international business programs and his work as an outstanding professor and scholar make him the ideal candidate to lead the College in forging new partnerships with the local and global business and educational communities."
Jim Beatty, Chair of the SDSU Search Committee and a professor in the business college, said, "Mike Hergert has the intellect, talent, and motivation to lead the College of Business Administration into the 21st Century. He has a thorough knowledge of SDSU and The CSU System, understands the strengths of the faculty and staff, is technologically competent, and is supportive of the teacher/scholar model. He is clearly committed to the success of the College and the University. Further, he is an excellent colleague. I wish him the best of success in his new position and know that the faculty and staff will quickly come to his support as we build for the future together."
The response to the announcement from the business community has been enthusiastic. Mr. James Ashcraft, Chairman of the Dean's Business Advisory Council and President of Ashcraft Investment Co., Inc., served as an ex-officio member of the search committee. "Business community leaders have been impressed with the impact of Mike's accomplishments at the University. His vision and intelligence will strengthen the bridge between the campus and the business community which will benefit the entire San Diego region."
Robert Plotkin, President of the World Trade Center San Diego, has worked with Dr. Hergert on international programs and internships over the last three years. "Mike Hergert exemplifies the scholar-leader connection that will make San Diego a 21st Century model for regional and international economic development. His creative approach to bringing together CIBER and World Trade Center San Diego resources yielded immediate and direct benefits to both the business and academic communities. His appointment as Dean of the business school is a great boost for a new generation of WTCSD members, SDSU students and all of San Diego."
Hergert was recently named the recipient of the 1996-97 Distinguished Faculty Award for the College of Business Administration. The annual award is presented by the SDSU Alumni Association to honor faculty for their significant contributions to the University.
Hergert began his career at SDSU in 1985. Prior to coming to SDSU, he taught at INSEAD Business School in Fontainebleau, France. His current teaching and research interests are in strategic management, industry economics, and international business. He is the author of more than 25 published articles and one book, Surviving Merger and Acquisition, with Michael McManus. Hergert earned his M.A. and Ph.D. (in 1983) from Harvard University in business economics.
Hergert has worked as a consultant with McKinsey and Company in Duesseldorf, Germany, and was Director of Strategic Planning Applications at Data Resources, Inc. (DRI) in Lexington, Mass. At DRI, he developed a series of computer simulation models to forecast company and industry profitability and to simulate the financial impacts of alternative operating policies. His work at DRI received the McGraw Hill prize for best new business venture in 1982.
Dr. Hergert, his wife and daughter are residents of Coronado, Calif. (end)
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