Iowa State University has officially named Dr. Raj Agnihotri as the next Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business, marking a significant leadership transition.
Dr. Agnihotri will assume his new role on July 1, 2025, succeeding Dean David Spalding, who led the college through over a decade of impactful and transformative leadership
A Proven Leader in Business Education and Industry Engagement
Currently serving as a Morrill Professor at Iowa State, Mary Warner Fellow, and Assistant Dean for Industry Engagement, Dr. Raj Agnihotri brings an extensive background in marketing, sales education, and academic leadership.
Since joining Iowa State University in 2018 and being named assistant dean in 2024, he has been a driving force in expanding the Ivy College of Business’s national and global presence.
President Wendy Wintersteen praised his appointment, saying:
“I am confident Dr. Agnihotri will continue elevating the reputation of the Ivy College of Business. He is an accomplished researcher, a student-centric leader, and has the vision to strengthen our entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem to benefit Iowa’s economy.”
Founder of the Ivy Sales Forum and Renowned Marketing Professor
A respected marketing professor, Dr. Agnihotri is the founding director of the Ivy Sales Forum, a collaborative initiative that connects academia with industry leaders. His work emphasizes practical, research-driven engagement between business students and real-world professionals.
He is also the co-author of the globally adopted textbook ABCs of Relationship Selling through Service, widely used in sales education worldwide. His contributions to teaching and scholarship have earned him multiple awards across various institutions.
Vision for the Future of the Ivy College of Business
In response to his appointment as the new dean of the Ivy College of Business, Dr. Agnihotri stated:
“It is a profound honor to be selected as the next Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Ivy College. I am committed to student success, academic excellence, and to advancing the college’s tradition of innovative research and industry engagement.”
He emphasized a vision of collaboration with faculty, students, alumni, and partners to reach new milestones and elevate the college’s impact even further.
Raj Agnihotri’s Academic Background and Career Journey
Dr. Raj Agnihotri’s academic background spans three countries. He earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Pune (India), followed by an MBA in management from Oklahoma City University, and a Ph.D. in marketing from Kent State University.
Before joining Iowa State, he held academic positions at the University of Texas at Arlington and Ohio University, developing deep expertise in sales strategy, marketing, and industry outreach.
Iowa State University Dean Appointment Process
The appointment of Dr. Agnihotri as Iowa State’s business college dean followed a rigorous national search.
The search committee was co-chaired by Ann Marie VanDerZanden, Associate Provost for Academic Programs, and Dr. Dan Grooms, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Jason Keith, Senior Vice President and Provost, appreciated the committee’s efforts and the Ivy College community’s participation in selecting the university’s next academic leader.
