Dr. Poonam Arora, an Indian American academic leader with extensive experience in business education and strategic faculty leadership, has been named the next dean of the Undergraduate School at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, as announced on December 10, 2025. This appointment positions Arora at the helm of one of the most respected undergraduate programs in entrepreneurship education in the United States.

Arora’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for higher education, where institutions are navigating evolving workforce needs, technological transformation, and the demand for innovative leadership development. Babson College, known globally for its Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® approach, seeks to deepen its impact on undergraduate education by integrating rigorous academic experiences with real‑world entrepreneurial practice. In her new role, Arora will be responsible for guiding curriculum innovation, fostering student success, and enhancing faculty engagement across the Undergraduate School.

Before joining Babson, Arora served as associate dean of faculty affairs and strategic initiatives and professor of management at Quinnipiac University. In that capacity, she led key strategic planning efforts within the School of Business – work that involved updating academic standards, refining curriculum structures, and driving initiatives to strengthen faculty performance and programmatic relevance. Her leadership extended to successful accreditation support and the development of interdisciplinary frameworks aimed at better integrating liberal arts with business education.

Arora’s academic journey reflects a blend of scholarly rigor and professional breadth. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business economics with highest honors from John Cabot University in Rome, followed by an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a PhD in psychology from Columbia University. This multidisciplinary foundation equips her with a rare perspective on both organizational behavior and entrepreneurial systems development -an asset for a college that prides itself on shaping leaders who can bridge innovation, strategy, and societal impact.

In her official announcement, Babson College highlighted Arora’s “student‑first approach to academic leadership,” underscoring her commitment to fostering environments where learners are prepared not only for today’s challenges but for the complex global systems they will lead tomorrow. Provost and Executive Vice President Ariel Armony said Arora’s extensive experience across academia and industry positions her well to advance Babson’s mission as a top destination for undergraduate learners seeking transformational educational experiences.

Babson College itself has a long history of influence in entrepreneurship education, consistently ranking among the top institutions for its undergraduate and graduate programs in business and entrepreneurial leadership. As dean, Arora will play a crucial role in reinforcing this legacy while steering the Undergraduate School through strategic priorities that include enhancing experiential learning, fostering diversity and inclusion, and strengthening connections with industry and community partners.

Importantly, Arora’s leadership appointment also contributes to the growing representation of Indian Americans in senior academic roles within U.S. higher education. Her career trajectory – from department leadership to strategic academic planning and now to a deanship at a highly regarded institution – reflects broader trends in the diversification of academic leadership at colleges and universities nationwide.

Arora is expected to begin her tenure as dean in February 2026, bringing her expertise in academic strategy and cross‑sector leadership to Babson’s undergraduate community. Her vision for the Undergraduate School is anticipated to focus on equipping students with the entrepreneurial mindset, critical thinking skills, and adaptability required to excel in a rapidly shifting global economy.

Key Takeaways About Poonam Arora

• Dr. Poonam Arora has been appointed dean of the Undergraduate School at Babson College. 
• Her appointment was announced on December 10, 2025, and she will begin in February 2026. 
• Arora brings extensive strategic academic leadership experience from Quinnipiac University. 
• She holds degrees from John Cabot University, Northwestern University, and Columbia University. 
• Her leadership marks a significant step in Indian American representation in academic leadership roles.