Andrew Gaudes Named Interim Dean of WCBT

Veteran higher education administrator brings experience in growth, innovation, and student success

Key Highlights

• Andrew J. Gaudes, Ph.D., has been appointed interim dean of Sacred Heart University’s Jack Welch College of Business & Technology
• Gaudes brings more than 20 years of experience in business education, academic leadership, accreditation, and strategic planning
• He previously served as dean of the Goodman School of Business at Brock University and dean of the Paul J. Hill School of Business and Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business at the University of Regina
• Gaudes says his priorities include supporting teaching, scholarship, student success, continuous improvement, and external engagement
• He emphasizes experiential learning, adaptability, critical thinking, and lifelong learning as essential components of business education

Sacred Heart University has appointed Andrew J. Gaudes, Ph.D., interim dean of the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology (WCBT), effective July 1.

An accomplished higher education leader, Gaudes brings more than 20 years of experience in business education, academic administration, and strategic leadership. Most recently, he served as dean of the Goodman School of Business at Brock University in Ontario, Canada, where he led initiatives focused on academic excellence, enrollment growth, student success, international partnerships, and industry engagement.

Prior to Brock University, Gaudes served as dean of the Paul J. Hill School of Business and Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada. He also held leadership positions at the University of New Brunswick, including associate dean of international programs and director of graduate studies.

Throughout his career, Gaudes has overseen accreditation efforts, launched new academic programs, expanded experiential learning opportunities, and strengthened partnerships with industry and community organizations. He also served as president of the International Partnership of Business Schools, a global consortium of leading business schools.

“Dr. Gaudes brings a wealth of experience in higher education leadership and a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing business education today,” said Michael Larobina, provost for Sacred Heart University. “His commitment to academic excellence, student success, and continuous improvement will be a tremendous asset to the Welch College of Business & Technology and the University.”

In a question-and-answer session, Gaudes discussed his leadership philosophy, priorities for the WCBT, and the future of business education.

What attracted you to Sacred Heart University and the WCBT?

What attracted me to Sacred Heart University and the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology was the opportunity to contribute my experience at an important time in the college’s development.

Having spent much of my career in academic leadership roles, I have always enjoyed helping institutions navigate opportunities, challenges, and periods of transition. As I learned more about Sacred Heart and the college, I was impressed by the strong foundation, commitment to students, and the breadth of activity taking place across business and technology disciplines.

The college has a talented faculty and staff, a diverse portfolio of programs, strong connections with industry, and an important role within the University and broader community. The opportunity to work with stakeholders and help support the college’s continued progress was one that I found both professionally interesting and personally rewarding.

I also saw many parallels with experiences I have had throughout my career, including strategic planning, accreditation, program development, community engagement, and organizational growth. The opportunity to apply those experiences in support of the college’s next chapter was very appealing.

You have led business schools through periods of growth and innovation. What lessons from those experiences will you bring to Sacred Heart?

One lesson I have learned is that sustainable progress comes from building a shared sense of purpose. Growth and innovation are important, but they are most successful when people understand where an institution is heading and see themselves as part of that journey.

I have also learned the importance of listening. Every institution has its own culture, strengths, history, and aspirations. Before making decisions, it is important to understand what is already working well and where opportunities exist to build on that foundation.

Finally, I have learned that strong relationships matter. Whether working with faculty, staff, students, alumni, industry partners, or the broader community, meaningful progress happens when people work together toward common goals.

What are your priorities for the WCBT during your time as interim dean?

My priority is to help position the college for long-term success by strengthening the foundations that support excellence in teaching, scholarship, student success, and external engagement.

While accreditation is an important milestone for any business school, I view it as the result of strong practices rather than the objective itself. The most successful institutions are those where quality, continuous improvement, accountability, and collaboration are embedded in everyday operations.

During my time as interim dean, I hope to work with faculty and staff to build on the college’s existing strengths, support ongoing initiatives, and help create the conditions that allow people to do their best work. If we focus on serving students well, supporting faculty and staff, engaging effectively with external stakeholders, and making thoughtful, evidence-informed decisions, many other positive outcomes will naturally follow.

Ultimately, my goal is to leave the college stronger, more aligned, and well positioned for whatever comes next.

What skills and experiences do today’s business students need to succeed in a rapidly changing workforce?

Technical knowledge remains important, but it is no longer sufficient on its own. Today’s graduates need to be adaptable, curious, and comfortable with continuous learning.

They must be able to work effectively with people from different backgrounds, communicate clearly, solve complex problems, and make decisions in environments characterized by uncertainty and rapid change. Increasingly, they also need to understand how technology, data, and artificial intelligence are reshaping organizations and industries.

Perhaps most importantly, they need sound judgment, integrity, and the ability to balance economic objectives with broader societal considerations. Employers are looking for graduates who can not only perform tasks, but also lead, collaborate, and contribute positively to their organizations and communities.

The WCBT is known for experiential learning. Why is hands-on learning so important in business education?

Experiential learning helps bridge the gap between theory and practice. Students learn important concepts in the classroom, but they deepen that learning when they apply it to real situations, real organizations, and real challenges.

Through internships, projects, simulations, consulting experiences, competitions, and community engagement, students develop practical skills while also building confidence and professional judgment. They learn how to work in teams, communicate with stakeholders, manage ambiguity, and adapt when things do not go exactly as planned.

In many ways, experiential learning reflects the reality of the workplace. It prepares students not just to understand business concepts, but to use them effectively. That preparation is one of the most valuable gifts a business school can provide its students.