Assumption University Announces Patrick Cullen, Ph.D. As New Dean of The Grenon School of Business
WORCESTER, Massachusetts – Assumption University today announced the appointment of Patrick Cullen, Ph.D., as the new dean of the Grenon School of Business. Dr. Cullen succeeds Joseph Foley, CPA, CGMA, MBA — the founding dean of the Grenon School of Business who has retired after 43 years of service to the University.
“I’m enthusiastic about collaborating with the entire Assumption University community – students, faculty, alumni, friends – to establish a direction for the Grenon School of Business that prepares graduates to make a positive impact as ethical managers and leaders in organizations and society,” said Dr. Cullen. “My focus will be on working closely with stakeholders to create distinctive, high-quality programs with relevant and forward-looking curricula that will ensure that the school is meeting current expectations of students and employers while anticipating their future needs.”
During his work at Harvard Business School and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), Dr. Cullen co-developed the “knowing-doing-being” framework as a way to understand the major components of business education. Dr. Cullen believes it is the “being” component of this framework that most closely aligns with the mission of Assumption “and is a defining feature of our business program.
“And while all elements of ‘knowing-doing-being’ are critical in one’s life-long journey of learning, I believe that the key to success lies in recognizing, and taking action based on, the interdependencies of each of the framework’s components.” Dr. Cullen said. “As a young business school, we are well-placed to develop curriculum and co-curricular programs that form our graduates intellectually and prepares them for meaningful careers.”
Dr. Cullen joins Assumption following more than 10 years in leadership positions with AACSB International, culminating in the role of vice president, Strategy and Innovation. During his career at AACSB — a global, non-profit membership organization of educational institutions, businesses, and other entities devoted to the advancement of business education — Dr. Cullen’s primary responsibilities included strategic planning, accreditation, thought leadership, new product development and research that contributed to the 2020 business accreditation standards. As a member of AACSB’s leadership team, Dr. Cullen worked with the CEO, all functional areas, three regional offices and the board of directors to develop and implement strategic initiatives.
Prior to AACSB, Dr. Cullen earned a Ph.D. in Management from the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge, UK, and then returned to the US to assume a research position at Harvard Business School. There he co-authored the book Rethinking the MBA: Business Education at a Crossroads, considered a seminal work in the field, with professors Srikant Datar and David Garvin.
“Assumption and particularly the Grenon School of Business staff has discovered in Dr. Cullen a leader that will prepare our students to navigate and thrive in a business world that is in a period of rapid change and presents so many new and exciting opportunities,” said Paul R. Douillard, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy and Interim Provost for Assumption. “In Dr. Cullen we have a leader who is committed to helping our students develop their business leadership skills more broadly and deeply.”
A strong advocate for the benefits of a liberal arts education, Dr. Cullen earned a B.A. in American Studies at the University of Nottingham, UK. He then completed a Ed.M. in Higher Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
ABOUT ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY
Assumption University, founded in 1904 by the Augustinians of the Assumption, is New England’s premier university for high-quality education, integrating career preparation and education of the whole person, drawing upon the best in the rich and centuries-long tradition of Catholic higher education. Assumption, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, seeks to provide students with a transformative education that forms graduates who possess critical intelligence, thoughtful citizenship, and compassionate service. The University offers 34 majors and 49 minors in the liberal arts, sciences, business, nursing and professional studies; as well as graduate degrees and professional certificate programs. For more information about Assumption University, please visit s1auviv.wpengine.com.