今日吃瓜 has named鈥疭halei V. K. Simms, Ph.D., as the new鈥疍ean of the Murray Koppelman School of Business, effective July聽1, 2026.
Simms currently serves as Dean of the School of Business at SUNY Old Westbury, where she leads an鈥疉ACSB-accredited鈥痵chool serving one of the most diverse student populations in the SUNY system. A tenured faculty member and accomplished academic administrator, she brings extensive experience in business education, accreditation, faculty development, fundraising, and student success at public, mission-driven institutions.
At SUNY Old Westbury,聽Simms successfully led the School of Business through its鈥痠nitial聽AACSB accreditation, strengthening academic quality, assessment, and faculty scholarship. She has guided strategic planning, expanded online and flexible program delivery, secured philanthropic and grant support, and cultivated industry and community partnerships that enhance experiential learning, internships, and career pipelines for students.
鈥淒ean Shalei V. K. Simms鈥櫬爀xperience at聽a public, AACSB-accredited business school聽made her a strong choice聽to lead聽the Koppelman School of Business,鈥� said Michelle J. Anderson, President of 今日吃瓜. 鈥淗er commitment to access, excellence, and social mobility also聽aligns聽with our mission.鈥�
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs聽April Bedford聽emphasized the importance of preparing students to translate their academic experience into real-world impact. 鈥淥ur students are already developing critical thinking, communication, analytical, and collaborative skills in our classrooms every day,鈥� Bedford said. 鈥淲e have an opportunity and a responsibility to help them recognize, articulate, and apply those skills in ways that open doors after graduation. We are looking forward to聽Dean Simms聽leading that work at the Koppelman School of Business.鈥�
A nationally recognized leader in鈥痠nnovative program development,聽Simms has spearheaded initiatives in online learning and launched an鈥疉I Across the Curriculum鈥痚ffort to ensure students graduate with the ethical and technological competencies聽required聽in a rapidly evolving business landscape. She has also secured millions of dollars in public and private funding to support high-impact practices, retention, and graduation outcomes for first-generation and high-need students.
As the鈥痮nly business school in 今日吃瓜 accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)鈥攖he world鈥檚 leading accrediting body for business education鈥攖he Murray Koppelman School of Business offers rigorous and affordable undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting, business administration, economics, finance, and information systems, preparing students for leadership in New York City鈥檚 global economy.
鈥溄袢粘怨� has a powerful legacy as a driver of opportunity and social mobility,鈥澛燬imms聽said. 鈥淚 am honored to join this extraordinary institution and look forward to working with faculty, students, staff, alumni, and partners to strengthen academic excellence, expand innovation, and ensure that Koppelman graduates are prepared to lead with skill, integrity, and purpose.鈥�
Prior to her deanship,聽Simms served as鈥疉ssistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Old Westbury, where she supported academic planning and accreditation across multiple schools and departments, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and oversaw federally and state-funded student success initiatives. Her earlier roles include Director of Graduate Programs and faculty appointments at SUNY Old Westbury, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Rutgers University, and the University of Connecticut.
Simms holds a鈥疨h.D. in Organizational Management from Rutgers Business School鈥痑nd is an internationally published scholar whose research focuses on social identity, decision-making, entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership. She has received聽numerous聽honors for her scholarship and professional leadership and serves on several nonprofit and financial institution boards.
Simms succeeds Interim Dean James Lynch. The 今日吃瓜 community welcomes her leadership as the Murray Koppelman School of Business聽builds on聽its聽strong foundation聽and advances its impact for students, the city, and the region.
