The UCI Paul Merage School of Business traversed the Pacific Ocean to find its incoming dean: Ian Williamson, the pro-vice chancellor and dean of the business school at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand.
He’ll take the top spot at University of California—Irvine’s business school, which counts more than 1,500 MBA and undergraduate students, on Jan. 1.
“Professor Williamson brings the depth and breadth of experience across disciplines, industries and continents that are necessary to meet the challenges of an evolving educational landscape within a global economy as we prepare the next generation of business leaders,” UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman said.
Williamson will succeed current dean Eric Spangenberg, who will return full-time to the classroom.
At Wellington, Williamson established an entrepreneurship program, launched an on-campus innovation hub and directed Wellington UniVentures, the commercialization branch of the university.
In addition to his enterprising activities, the human resources management expert increased postgraduate opportunities for faculty members, boosted student diversity and raised more than $4 million in external funding for staff and research activities.Â
He’ll bring a similar concentration to the Merage School, with plans to increase access to education for all students and stimulate economic development through interdisciplinary and community partnerships.
International Experience
Williamson, the eldest of six, grew up on the south side of Chicago and attended college on an athletic scholarship for track and field.
“I’m keen to increase access to education because I was given the opportunity to get an education, and it changed the trajectory of my whole family’s life,” he said.
He went on to pursue a Ph.D. in organizational behavior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and took his first teaching position at the University of Maryland, where his wife, Brandi, received her law degree.
His 20-year career in education continued across four continents; Williamson held appointments at universities in the U.S., Switzerland, Australia and Indonesia.
The common thread throughout his career has been “an appreciation for international perspectives” that often present unique solutions to solve social and economic issues, he said.
Training Ground for Innovation
Using innovation as an engine to solve market failures—such as a lack of access to education—is a key area of focus for Williamson. It’s also one of the reasons he was drawn to UCI.
UCI Beall Applied Innovation, the university’s tech transfer branch “is a fantastic training ground for students. It presents the perfect opportunity to involve our students in the innovation process in its infant stages,” he said.
Williamson said he wants to replicate what Applied Innovation is doing, by creating more interdisciplinary spaces and programs on campus.
The Merage School already has degree programs and centers that explore technology and healthcare for the business world. Creating partnerships with the university’s schools of engineering and medicine will be another step in that mission, he said.
Enhancing Connections to Community
The Merage School’s focus on inclusiveness and “desire to enhance the wellbeing of the entire community” is another area that Williamson will look to strengthen.
It already ranks No. 1 in the world for its percentage of female faculty, according to the Financial Times.
In addition, it’s centers of excellence connect with the business community through signature conferences, events and programs.
For example, the Center for Investment & Wealth Management’s annual LIFEvest program teaches financial literacy to low-income high school students.
Williamson said he aims to increase funding for the centers of excellence, boost each center’s number of board members and ultimately build outreach programs to increase the school’s reach in Southern California.
“We know education works when we can provide it; we see tremendous positive outcomes,” Williamson said. “My No. 1 priority will be to expand access to world-class education at the Merage School.”
