Dean Sidney E. Harris to Step Down After 7 Years

October 7, 2003 (Atlanta, Georgia) - Sidney E. Harris announced today that he will conclude his seven-year tenure as dean of Georgia State's J. Mack Robinson College of Business at the end of June 2004, and will continue as member of College's faculty. He plans to teach and conduct research in the areas of international trade, productivity and technology, international corporate governance and leadership. He also plans to conduct country and regional studies focused on Asia and Africa.

Harris' term as dean caps an impressive period of growth in global outreach and resources. The College received a $10 million naming gift from J. Mack Robinson, the largest financial gift in the history of the university. Two research centers were formed, the global dimension of the curriculum was strengthened through the acquisition of more than $10 million in grants for international programs, leading faculty were hired, and over $25 million in private gifts were secured for College initiatives, especially endowed faculty positions. Externally, the College has capitalized on its Atlanta location and developed new partnerships with the corporate community, as well as colleges and universities internationally.

In addition, the Robinson College has garnered increasing recognition as one of the world's best business schools. Out of 400 accredited business programs, its undergraduate studies program was recently ranked among the top 25 for public universities.  Its FLEX MBA was ranked 2nd among public programs, and 5th in the nation overall in the U.S. News and World Report rankings. The College's Executive MBA is ranked 20th in the world by BusinessWeek and is one of only two ranked programs in Georgia. Overall, the College is ranked in sixteen different areas by eight of the nation's leading publications. 

"Sid Harris has done an outstanding job as dean and we are grateful for his vision and leadership during a very important phase of the College's growth and development," said Georgia State University president Carl V. Patton.  

The University's provost Ron Henry noted, "Sid has exhibited strong leadership in his role as dean and is respected for his integrity and high standards."

The College's naming benefactor J. Mack Robinson commented that "Atlanta has emerged has a leading center for higher education, in part, because of the preeminence of the Robinson College of Business. The College is in a strong position to expand its global orientation and linkages with the corporate community.  Dean Harris' accomplishments have laid a strong foundation for the College and his successor."

A national search will begin soon for a successor to Harris.

The J. Mack Robinson College of Business is one of the nation's top business schools. The College's Flex (part-time) MBA program has been listed in the top ten by U.S. News for the past eight years and its undergraduate business program is ranked among the top 50 in the nation. BusinessWeek magazine ranked the College's Executive MBA program 20th in the world and Forbes rated Robinson in the top 20 for return-on-investment for regional schools. Georgia State University's Robinson College of Business has an enrollment of more than 8500 students and is located in downtown Atlanta.