Liad Wagman Appointed as Stuart School of Business Dean

After more than a year of dedicated and visionary leadership, Liad Wagman has been appointed permanent dean of the Stuart School of Business at Illinois Institute of Technology. Wagman has been an integral part of the Stuart community for more than 14 years and has held the position of interim dean since June 1, 2022.

“I’m truly honored and humbled to take on this role and continue the incredible work we’ve started here at Stuart,” says Wagman, the John and Mae Calamos Stuart School of Business Dean Endowed Chair. “Our approach draws on a prestigious history of more than 125 years of seamlessly bridging business and technology at Illinois Tech, and provides our students with exceptional preparation for both the jobs of today, as well as the dynamically evolving challenges of tomorrow. At Stuart we all are dedicated to innovation in business education and delivering phenomenal programs and student outcomes, and I am excited to continue that mission, tradition, and prestigious history. I am grateful to continue working with incredibly dedicated colleagues, students, alumni, and friends and community members at Stuart.”

Under Wagman’s leadership in the interim role, Stuart has seen a remarkable 140 percent growth in enrollment since the beginning of the fall 2022 semester. Moreover, he has been instrumental in the innovation and redesigning of the college’s curriculum, introducing forward-thinking programs tailored to today’s industry needs. Notable among these are the five new Tech+ majors—interdisciplinary degrees that blend core principles from fields such as business, engineering, psychology, information technology, policy, and cybersecurity.

“Liad’s vision and relentless commitment to innovation and excellence have significantly advanced the mission of Stuart School of Business,” Illinois Tech Provost Kenneth T. Christensen says. “He has not just led the school through a period of remarkable enrollment growth, but has also been pivotal in reshaping the curriculum to make it more responsive to the rapidly evolving needs of today’s industries. It’s clear that Liad’s leadership and expertise make him the perfect fit for this critical role as we chart the course for Stuart’s future.”

As an academic, Wagman’s pioneering research has significantly influenced regulatory discussions globally, specifically framing digital policies in the United States, European Union, and other nations. He has testified in federal hearings and to representatives from the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and White House Council of Economic Advisers, as well as serving as the senior economic and technology adviser to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, working under two White House administrations. As a professor of economics, Wagman has taught at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, and was selected to Poets & Quants 2015 Best 40 Under 40 Professors.

“Liad embodies the spirit of Illinois Tech and its vision of empowering students of all backgrounds and preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow,” Illinois Tech President Raj Echambadi says. “His passion for interdisciplinary education and focus on the integration of technology and business has set a new standard, not just for Stuart, but for business education nationwide.”

Wagman has received numerous honors over his distinguished career for both scholarly research and teaching, including the Sigma Xi Excellence in University Research Award, the Bauer Family University Excellence in Teaching Award, and multiple best paper awards.

“The growth and transformation we’ve witnessed over the past year are just the beginning,” Wagman says. “With the support of the incredible Stuart community, I am confident we can achieve even greater heights.”