From the Dean
On Our Mission and My Future
As dean of the Carlson School for the past 10 years, for me, it has always been about the mission.
It’s about embracing our purpose to create a brighter future for Minnesota, our nation, and the world. It’s
about focusing on our promise to our students, to prepare them for lives and careers that are fulfilling and make a profound difference in their communities.
As I look forward to transitioning back to our faculty sometime next year from serving as your dean, I’m renewing that pledge to keep our mission top of mind. It has been a privilege to lead this amazing school, and I will stay on until a new dean is appointed and takes over. There is still much to do, and I remain committed to ensuring the Carlson School’s excellence as we look ahead to the future.
It’s no secret that these past two years have been difficult for many. This too-long period of adjusting and re-adjusting, and, in so many ways, of being distant from one another, has often distracted us. We are not alone. I hear that from a wide circle
of deans at other world-class business schools. Soon, as we turn to what living with COVID-19 might look like, we can’t forget our fundamental mission—to develop and disseminate the ideas that will change how organizations function, and
to enable our students to dream big and go into the world ready to live the ideals of business as a force for good. Thanks to our outstanding staff and faculty, we’re constantly improving how we do that, with countless success stories. Our alumni and donors play critical roles, too, for which we’re grateful.
More than ever, we must work with our partners in the business community to help our students become thoughtful, inclusive leaders in tomorrow’s world. We need, too, to be aware of the needs of our alumni and other working professionals
to have just-in-time education and support.
In doing so, valuing diversity in our school and community is critical. Gazing into the next 10 years, I see us becoming a more diverse and more welcoming place, a place where everyone feels comfortable and can thrive. It will take all
of us doing our part to achieve this vision.
So, as I mark this humbling anniversary, let’s revisit our mission with energy and optimism. Now’s the time to re-examine who we are, where we want to go and how we can enhance our promises to our students and to our community.
Our mission must guide us, as it has me for these 10 wonderful years I have had the privilege of serving as your dean. I will continue to cherish each day I have left leading this special place.
Warmest regards,
Sri Zaheer,
Dean, Carlson School of Management
