Oliver Yao, interim deputy provost for graduate education and associate dean for graduate programs of the College of Business at Lehigh University, has been appointed dean of the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics.
“I am delighted to welcome Oliver Yao to UD as the next dean of the Lerner College of Business and Economics,” UD President Dennis Assanis said. “As a recognized scholar with extensive administrative experience at the department, college and university levels, his demonstrated vision for academic excellence integrating research, education and impact will be an enormous asset to UD. I look forward to our work together as we continue strengthening the identity of the Lerner College while embracing partnership and interdisciplinary opportunities across the University, including ongoing development of the fintech ecosystem.”
Yao will begin his tenure as dean on Aug. 1. Reporting directly to UD Provost Laura Carlson, Yao will be a member of the University’s senior administrative team, responsible for leadership of the college, including the development, operation and sustained excellence of all academic programs across its five academic departments (Accounting and Management Information Systems, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, and Hospitality and Sport Business Management); centers and institutes.
In the fall of 2022, Bruce Weber, who served as dean of the Lerner College since 2011, announced his plans to step down as dean when his current term ended. In March 2023, Weber was named the Willem Kooyker Dean of the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College, City University of New York.
Lerner College Deputy Dean Sheryl Kline will serve as acting dean in July upon the departure of Weber until Yao’s arrival on campus in August.
