Dr. Ahmad Tootoonchi, who has served as interim dean of the College of Business at Frostburg State University since March 2009, has been named to the position of dean by Provost Stephen Simpson.  He was selected following a national search and campus interviews with multiple finalists.

Tootoonchi joined the FSU faculty in 1989, served as chair of the Department of Management from 2003 to 2007, and was associate dean of the College of Business from January 2008 until he became interim dean.  He received the University’s Faculty Achievement Award in 1998 and 2003, is president of the International Academy of Business Disciplines, and chief editor of the “Journal of International Business Disciplines.”  He and the former dean, Dr. Danny Arnold, co-authored “101 Leadership Tips” (Prentice Hall, 2007).  He holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and Human Behavior and a master’s degree in Management and Organizational Development, both from U.S. International University in San Diego, CA.

In his tenure as interim dean, Tootoonchi has overseen a redesign of the FSU MBA program – including preparation for the option to make the program available.  MBA enrollment has also increased during his tenure.  He also oversaw the establishment of the Small Business/Entrepreneurship concentration for undergraduates studying through FSU at the University System of Maryland – Hagerstown.

“Dr. Tootoonchi is an outstanding leader with a vision for the future. He has a national and international perspective on trends in business at both the undergraduate and graduate level,” said FSU President Jonathan Gibralter.  “He understands the importance of partnerships with business and industry and works hard to make all of our business programs relevant to students in an effort to enhance their employment opportunities.  Most importantly, Dr. Tootoonchi is a good person who views the world always in a positive light with a view on what is possible.”

“Dr. Tootoonchi is an outstanding teacher and scholar who is deeply committed to his students, the College, and the University as a whole,” Simpson said. “I am very pleased that we can call on Dr. Tootoonchi’s talents to take on this important role and continue the progress we have made in the College of Business.”

The FSU College of Business is accredited by AASCB International.  For more information, visit www.frostburg.edu/colleges/cob.

Situated in the mountains of Allegany County, Frostburg State University is one of the 13 institutions of the University System of Maryland.  FSU is a comprehensive, residential regional university and serves as an educational and cultural center for Western Maryland.