Houston’s Bauer College Names New Dean: Tulane Freeman’s Xianjun Geng

Xianjun Geng, senior associate dean for academic programs at the Freeman School of Business at Tulane, will be the next dean at the Houston Bauer College of Business, beginning his tenure May 1. Houston Bauer photo

After an extensive national search, the University of Houston has selected Xianjun Geng to serve as the next dean of the C. T. Bauer College of Business. His tenure begins May 1.

Geng joins Houston from Tulane University’s A. B. Freeman School of Business, where he currently holds several leadership roles, including senior associate dean for academic programs, professor of Management Science, and Distinguished Chair in Business.

Reflecting on his decision to accept the role in a news story published by the university’s communications team, Geng cited four driving factors: impact, people, culture, and fit. “The trajectory of both the University of Houston and Bauer College is incredibly exciting,” he said. “There’s a unique synergy between the city and the institution that many other universities aspire to replicate.”

A WIDELY PUBLISHED SCHOLAR

An expert in business analytics, pricing strategy, supply chain management, behavioral economics, and information security, Geng earned his Ph.D. in Management Information Systems from the University of Texas at Austin, and holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Tsinghua University in China.

“Dr. Geng brings a remarkable blend of academic achievement and leadership experience to Bauer,” says Diane Z. Chase, UH’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “His focus on student success and strategic vision for growth will be invaluable as the college continues to build its national reputation. We are thrilled to welcome him.”

Before his time at Tulane, Geng held faculty appointments at both the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Washington. He is widely published across top journals in information systems, operations, and marketing, and has held editorial positions at several leading academic publications. Google Scholar lists nearly 2,500 citations for Geng, including nearly 1,000 since 2020.

Geng will take over from Praveen Kumar, who has served as interim dean since June 2024 following the departure of former dean Paul A. Pavlou.

‘A BUSINESS SCHOOL’S GREATEST STRENGTH LIES IN ITS PEOPLE’

As he steps into the role, Geng says he plans to begin by listening.

“Shared governance begins with understanding,” he says. “I intend to spend time hearing directly from our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and advisory boards to help shape a collective vision for Bauer’s future. During my campus visits, I was struck by the deep commitment and institutional knowledge of the Bauer community. I’m confident that together, we’ll elevate the college’s national and global profile and enhance outcomes for our students.”

Bauer College has more than 6,400 students across a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. It is also home to numerous research centers and institutes, including the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, AIM Center for Investment Management, and the Gutierrez Energy Management Institute, among others.

Named after late business leader Charles T. “Ted” Bauer, the school is guided by his belief that “People are the Product.” Geng echoes this sentiment.

“A business school’s greatest strength lies in its people,” he says. “Bauer College has an exceptional community, and I look forward to working with them to continue building on the college’s strong foundation.”

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