Bauer College of Business Names Xianjun Geng as New Dean

Following a nationwide search, the University of Houston has named Xianjun Geng as the next dean for its C. T. Bauer College of Business.

Geng comes to UH and Bauer College from Tulane University’s A. B. Freeman School of Business. At Tulane, Geng serves as Senior Associate Dean for Academic Programs, Professor of Management Science, and Freeman School Distinguished Chair in Business. He will officially arrive at UH on May 1.

Geng is a renowned scholar with research focused on pricing, supply chain management, business analytics, information security and behavioral economics. He holds a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems from the University of Texas at Austin and bachelor's and master’s degrees from Tsinghua University in Beijing.

“Dr. Geng brings energy, enthusiasm and a vision for growth to Bauer College,” said Diane Z. Chase, UH senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “His passion for student success and experience as a scholar perfectly complement his duties as incoming dean. He is an accomplished leader who is ready to position the college as one of the nation’s premier business schools. We’re grateful to have him on board.”

Prior to Tulane, Geng has served as a faculty member at the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Washington. He is a prolific scholar with numerous publications in leading business journals across information systems, marketing and operations fields. He has served extensively in leadership roles in the academic community, including many past and present associate and senior editorships.

For Geng, the decision to join UH and Bauer College came down to four factors.

“Impact, people, culture and fit,” Geng said. “The University of Houston and Bauer College are on a remarkable rise. The synergy between the university and the city is the envy of many other universities.”

He succeeds interim dean Praveen Kumar, who was appointed to that role in June 2024 following the departure of Paul A. Pavlou. Upon Geng’s arrival, he plans to hit the ground listening and learning from those who know the college best—its faculty, staff, students, alumni and advisory boards.

“I am a strong believer and practitioner of shared governance, which starts with listening to all stakeholders,” he said. “I look forward to creating and implementing a shared vision. There were many instances during my first campus visits that a faculty or staff member demonstrated a deep knowledge of Bauer, as well as their dedication to the success of the college and its students. I am optimistic that we will collectively create and implement a shared vision that leads to even stronger student successes and a greater national and international reputation of both Bauer and UH.”

Geng joins a nationally recognized business school dedicated to shaping future leaders through innovative programs, cutting-edge research  and strong industry partnerships.  Home to more than 6,400 students, Bauer College offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in disciplines including finance, accounting, management, marketing, supply chain, and entrepreneurship.

The college is also home to a number of dynamic centers and institutes. These include the Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, the AIM Center for Investment Management, Musa and Khaleda Dakri Center for Economic Inclusion, Gutierrez Energy Management Institute, Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute, Stephen Stagner Sales Excellence Institute, Stanford Alexander Center for Excellence in Real Estate, and more.

Named for business leader Charles T. “Ted” Bauer, the college has long followed his philosophy that “People are the Product.” Geng agrees with this belief and is ready to get to work as Bauer College’s new dean.

“A business college is all about its people, and the Bauer College has a solid foundation in its people that I am excited to work with,” Geng said.

This story was originally published on the UH Newsroom on March 20, 2025.