Indian American economist and longtime University of Georgia faculty member Santanu Chatterjee has been appointed dean of the C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry College of Business, marking a significant leadership milestone at one of the most prominent public business schools in the United States. The appointment follows a national search and positions Chatterjee as the 13th dean in the college’s history.

Chatterjee will officially assume the permanent role on April 1, succeeding Benjamin C. Ayers, who recently moved into a senior university leadership position as the University of Georgia’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. The selection comes after Chatterjee served as interim dean, during which he helped guide the college through a leadership transition and continued its strong trajectory in business education and research.

The Terry College of Business is one of the University of Georgia’s flagship academic units and among the oldest business schools in the United States. Founded in 1912, the college has developed a national reputation for academic excellence, innovative business programs, and strong connections to the corporate community. Its undergraduate and graduate programs consistently rank among the top public business schools in national evaluations.

As dean, Chatterjee will oversee a large academic enterprise that includes thousands of students, hundreds of faculty members, and multiple specialized programs across fields such as finance, marketing, management, accounting, and business analytics. His responsibilities will include guiding the college’s strategic direction, supporting faculty research, strengthening partnerships with industry, and expanding the institution’s global impact.

For the University of Georgia, the appointment reflects both continuity and long-term institutional investment in leadership development. Chatterjee has been part of the Terry College community for more than two decades, joining the faculty in 2001. Over that time, he has built a reputation as a respected scholar, dedicated teacher, and experienced academic administrator.

Before being named interim dean, Chatterjee served as associate dean for graduate programs at the college. In that role, he oversaw several of Terry’s key graduate initiatives, including the Master of Business Administration program and specialized master’s degrees designed to prepare students for emerging sectors of the economy.

His administrative leadership also included directing the full-time MBA program, where he helped strengthen the college’s national and international reputation. During that period, the program gained recognition in global rankings for the value it provided to students relative to tuition costs, an indicator of the program’s strong career outcomes and return on investment.

Chatterjee’s academic career has been grounded in the field of economics. He currently holds the Dr. Harold A. Black Distinguished Professorship of Economics at the University of Georgia, a position awarded to faculty members who demonstrate exceptional scholarship and leadership.

His research focuses on macroeconomics, economic growth, and the role of policy institutions in shaping long-term economic development. These topics examine how national economies evolve over time and how government policies, technological change, and institutional frameworks influence productivity and prosperity.

Throughout his career, Chatterjee has contributed to numerous scholarly publications and research collaborations exploring the dynamics of economic growth and the effectiveness of policy interventions. His work often bridges theoretical economic modeling with real-world policy questions, making it relevant to both academic audiences and policymakers.

Beyond his research and teaching responsibilities, Chatterjee has also engaged with the global policy community. Earlier in his career, he served as a visiting scholar in the research department of the International Monetary Fund, an experience that exposed him to international economic policy discussions and the complexities of global financial systems.

Chatterjee’s academic journey began in India. He completed his undergraduate studies at St. Xavier’s College in Kolkata before pursuing a master’s degree in economics at the University of Delhi. He later moved to the United States to pursue doctoral studies, earning his PhD in economics from the University of Washington.

This international educational path has shaped Chatterjee’s perspective as both a scholar and academic leader. Having studied and worked across multiple educational systems, he brings a global outlook to business education and economic research.

His appointment also reflects a broader trend in American higher education. In recent decades, universities across the United States have increasingly selected leaders with international backgrounds and multidisciplinary expertise. These leaders often bring diverse perspectives that help institutions respond to globalization, technological change, and evolving workforce demands.

Business schools in particular have experienced significant transformation in recent years. Rapid developments in technology, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and global supply chains have reshaped the skills required of modern business graduates. As a result, business school leaders must continuously adapt curricula and research priorities to ensure students are prepared for a rapidly changing economic landscape.

At the University of Georgia, the Terry College of Business maintains strong relationships with companies across sectors including finance, consulting, logistics, technology, and consumer goods. These partnerships help provide internships, career opportunities, and collaborative research projects that benefit both students and the broader business community.

Chatterjee’s long experience within the institution positions him to strengthen those partnerships while also expanding the college’s national and global reach. University leadership emphasized his deep understanding of the Terry College community and his commitment to advancing its reputation as a top destination for business education.

His appointment is also notable within the broader context of South Asian American leadership in U.S. academia. Scholars of South Asian heritage have increasingly taken on senior roles at American universities, including positions as deans, provosts, and university presidents.

These leadership positions carry influence beyond individual campuses. Deans of major business schools help shape the direction of research, guide partnerships with industry, and influence how the next generation of entrepreneurs, executives, and policymakers are educated.

For students at the Terry College, Chatterjee’s appointment represents continuity with the institution’s academic strengths while also opening opportunities for new initiatives and strategic priorities. For faculty and alumni, it reflects confidence in a leader who has spent decades contributing to the college’s growth and success.

As he steps into the deanship, Chatterjee will lead the Terry College through a period of ongoing change in higher education and the global economy. With deep institutional knowledge, a strong research background, and extensive administrative experience, he now assumes one of the most influential roles in American business education.

Key Takeaways About Santanu Chatterjee

• Santanu Chatterjee has been appointed the 13th dean of the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. 
• He previously served as interim dean and associate dean for graduate programs at the college. 
• Chatterjee has been a faculty member at the Terry College since 2001. 
• He holds the Dr. Harold A. Black Distinguished Professorship of Economics at the university. 
• His appointment highlights the growing presence of South Asian Americans in senior leadership roles in U.S. higher education.