Villanova School of Business
DEAN’S REPORT 2024-2026
Developing Business Leaders for a Better World
®
I am incredibly proud of how our faculty, staff, students and alumni have embraced change as a natural part of how we do business while remaining grounded in the Augustinian Catholic values that define us.
Message from
THE DEAN
Reflecting on the past two years at the Villanova School of Business (VSB), I am incredibly proud of how our faculty, staff, students and alumni have embraced change as a natural part of how we do business while remaining grounded in the Augustinian Catholic values that define us. As we face a rapidly evolving and often unpredictable business environment, we have sharpened our focus on agility, adaptability and responsiveness to ensure our students are prepared for whatever comes next. This change mindset is infused in everything we do and is also reflected in many tangible initiatives, such as integrating artificial intelligence and emerging technologies across our curricula to align our programs with the shifting needs of industry. At the same time, we have been able to preserve what is unique about the VSB and Villanova culture: a lively, supportive, student-centered academic community deeply rooted in the Augustinian Catholic tradition and the tenets of a liberal arts education. Our collective commitment to this approach—of keeping up with the times while staying true to our foundation—is driving meaningful results. As highlighted in this 2024-2026 Dean’s Report, we are seeing an increasing demand for our undergraduate and graduate degree programs, impressive career outcomes for our graduates, growing reach and recognition of our faculty research, and deeper industry engagement. As I enter another academic year as VSB’s Helen and William O’Toole Dean, I am humbled by the accomplishments highlighted in these pages. They reflect the efforts of a wide range of individuals and groups, and I am deeply grateful to all of those who have helped support and advance our efforts. Wen Mao, PhD The Helen and William O’Toole Dean Professor of Economics Villanova School of Business
IN THIS
REPORT 3 Research with Impact
7
Investing in Faculty
12
Teaching and Learning
16
Student Excellence
22
Strong Connections
27
The Power of Giving 1 Villanova School Of Business
2024–2026 Report 2 2 2021–2022 DEAN’SDean’s REPORT
RESEARCH WITH IMPACT
At VSB, our faculty are distinguished scholars and dedicated educators who advance knowledge with purpose and impact. Their research is widely published and respected by industry leaders and policymakers, shaping conversations on the most pressing issues in business and society. In the classroom, they bring this expertise to life through hands-on, experiential learning that prepares students to lead and drive meaningful change.
Five VSB Faculty Named Among Top 2% of Scientists Globally Several VSB faculty have been named among the top 2% of the most influential scientists in the world for the fifth year in a row. A global recognition honoring the most-cited researchers, the Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists List ranks more than 190,000 scholars across a wide range of scientific fields from a pool of more than 8.5 million active scientists worldwide. The rankings are based on how often their work is cited by other scholars and the quality of peer-reviewed journals in which they publish. The following five VSB faculty members were recognized for the impact and influence of their research in the fields of Business & Management and Marketing: BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT Jonathan Doh, PhD Senior Associate Dean for Research, Faculty Advancement and Global Engagement; Herbert G. Rammrath Endowed Chair in International Business; and Professor of Management and Operations.
Dr. Doh has built an extensive body of scholarship on multinational strategy and corporate social responsibility in emerging markets. His previous experience as a trade official with the U.S. government, combined 3 Villanova School Of Business
with his academic contributions—including more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, eight books, and editorial leadership roles at Journal of World Business and Journal of Management Studies— reflect his engagement at the intersection of scholarship and practice. In 2025, Dr. Doh was invited to serve on the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Task Force on Research Impact, providing business schools with guidance on measuring, incentivizing and rewarding research with impact.
Pankaj Patel, PhD
Corinne Post, PhD
The Frank J. and Jane E. Ryan Endowed Chair and Professor in Strategy and Innovation
The Fred J. Springer Endowed Chair in Business
Dr. Patel is a renowned subject-matter expert on entrepreneurship, health and self-employment, and innovation. He currently serves as an action editor at Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice and is on the editorial boards of several top management journals. He has published more than 200 journal articles.
Leadership and Professor of Management
A prominent scholar and thought leader in workplace diversity, Dr. Post’s research examines when and how diversity enables group and organizational performance and how social identity affects career trajectories. Her work is published in leading academic journals and featured in top business outlets worldwide.
MARKETING Charles (Ray) Taylor, PhD
Jeremy Kees, PhD
The John A. Murphy Endowed Chair and
The Richard J. and Barbara Naclerio Endowed Chair in Business and Professor of Marketing
Professor of Marketing
Dr. Taylor is a prolific scholar in advertising, international marketing, branding and consumer behavior and his work has made him a soughtafter media commentator. A past president of the American Academy of Advertising, Dr. Taylor is currently the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Advertising and has published more than 100 books, journals and conference papers.
Working at the intersection of marketing and public policy, focusing on consumer, societal and environmental well-being, Dr. Kees examines how consumers process information, particularly product disclaimers and warnings. His scholarship includes empirical studies on interventions that support more informed decisions about potentially harmful consumption behaviors.
FACULTY RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT
An Expert Take on Winning Ad Strategies Ray Taylor, PhD, is a leading authority on advertising for major televised events such as the Super Bowl, the Olympics and the World Cup. National media outlets in print, TV and radio—including Good Morning America, Forbes, Business Insider, Associated Press, and Reuters—have relied on his expertise to forecast the top Super Bowl ad trends for more than a decade. His research shows the most effective spots blend proven tactics with emerging trends, balance likability with brand differentiation, and infuse humor and celebrity appearances. His top pick for 2026: Budweiser’s “American Icons’” 60-second ad featuring the brand’s beloved Clydesdale mascots. 2024–2026 Dean’s Report 4
Reserch With Impact
Elevating VSB Research in Elite Business Journals Producing high-quality research remains a key priority for VSB and the University as a whole. Reflecting their commitment to that goal, VSB faculty published more than 650 articles in academic journals from 2020 to 2024—the most recent five-year measure of research output. VSB faculty are also increasing their presence in elite business journals—anchored in the University of Texas-Dallas list of top-tier, peer-reviewed publications with the highest standards of research quality, impact and global scholarly influence. In five years, the number of publications by VSB faculty in elite business journals has more than doubled. These include the Academy of Management Journal, Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of Applied Psychology, Organization Science, Journal of Financial Economics and Journal of Consumer Research, to name a few.
Expert Voices With Global Reach VSB faculty insights drove 1,550+ media placements across leading global outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Reuters, Associated Press, NPR, The Guardian, U.S. News & World Report and BizEd.
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VSB faculty publications in elite outlets have
MORE THAN DOUBLED
in the last five years, as informed by the UT Dallas list of top-tier peer-reviewed publications.
Advancing Faculty-Student Research Collaboration Another strategic priority for VSB is to facilitate faculty-student research collaboration, particularly at the undergraduate level. Across the School, students are contributing to meaningful scholarly work and gaining valuable research experience. In 2026, nine VSB undergraduate students participated in the Villanova Match Research Program for First Year Students, a highly selective program that gives motivated first-year undergraduates the opportunity to pursue research in their first spring semester. Some of the projects undertaken by VSB faculty and students in 2026 include: • “ Using Coding and AI to Investigate U.S. Firms’ Irish Operations and Tax Strategies” Brian Grant, PhD, Accounting & Information Systems Morgan Lin ’29 VSB, Han Nguyen ’29 VSB
Reserch With Impact
• “Partisan Motivated Reasoning: Why We See the Same World Differently—An Experimental Economic Analysis” Siyu Wang, PhD, Economics Joe DiRienzo ’29 VSB
• “Data Quality in Investment Banking Research” Thomas Griffin, PhD, ’13 CLAS, Finance & Real Estate Ben Spiwak ’29 VSB, Ethan Locke ’29 VSB, Mary Grace Eubanks ’29 VSB, Samaah Qadeer ’29 VSB, Neela Kumar ’29 VSB
FACULTY-STUDENT RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT
An Early Introduction to Research with Impact Victoria Devine ’29 VSB completed her first year at Villanova this May, and
• “The Legitimacy Paradox: Why Entrepreneurial Firms Still Fail Despite Doing ‘Everything Right’”
already she’s contributed to original faculty-led academic
Kyoung Yong Kim, PhD, Management & Operations Victoria Devine ’29 VSB
In 2025, 28 VSB graduate business fellows collaborated in support of faculty research, and 13 undergraduate students participated in the VSB Business Scholars program, which pairs honors students with VSB faculty members to support their research.
research through Villanova’s Match Research Program for First Year Students. As a research assistant for Kyoung Yong Kim, PhD, the Kevin J. Hughes Family Endowed Senior Research Fellow, Victoria supported various aspects of his research examining why many entrepreneurial firms fail despite efforts to establish legitimacy and attract support from external stakeholders. Conducting literature reviews, assisting in the development of surveys and questionnaires, working with data and contributing to statistical analysis, she
138 HONORS STUDENTS
began building a skillset that will serve her throughout her Villanova career while gaining valuable hands-on experience with real-world research processes.
at VSB have actively engaged in formal research collaborations with faculty through the VSB Business Scholars Program since its inception in 2017.
2024–2026 Dean’s Report 6
INVESTING IN FACULTY
VSB continues to grow its faculty with accomplished scholars and practitioners who bring fresh expertise, perspectives and real-world experience to the classroom and beyond—while also creating new opportunities for established faculty to expand their impact. Together, they advance knowledge and create meaningful pathways for students to learn, lead and make a difference.
VSB Welcomes New Faculty Members Over the past two years, VSB has expanded its world-class faculty with the addition of 11 accomplished teacher-scholars spanning all five academic departments. A dynamic mix of early-career practitioners and researchers and seasoned academic leaders, they bring deep expertise that strengthens the classroom experience and the School’s research impact. ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS Nitin Joglekar, PhD The John F. Connelly Endowed Chair in Management and Associate Professor of Management & Operations
An award-winning scholar, teacher and researcher in operations, analytics and management, Dr. Joglekar joined VSB in 2024 after more than two decades teaching at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. He teaches undergraduate courses in operations and supply chain management as well as custom executive courses. Dr. Joglekar brings extensive
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industry experience founding software startups and working in digital technology firms to VSB’s Management & Operations Department, in addition to his distinguished service on the Global Futures Council for the World Economic Forum and as an expert panelist for the U.S. National Science Foundation. He holds a PhD from MIT’s Sloan School of Management.
Siyu Wang, PhD Associate Professor, Economics
NEW FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Shaping the Future of AI Through Research and Collaboration
Dr. Joglekar at the 2026 VSB Research Day with Human-centric & Agentic AI Lab (HAAL)’s first-ever research assistants Evan Merkov ’28 VSB and Owen O’Keefe ’28 VSB, who presented their findings on the global market characteristics of critical minerals. Their work will support future AI-driven monitoring and predictive modeling of critical mineral markets.
Through his work in human-centric and agentic AI, Nitin Joglekar, PhD, is advancing research that explores how these systems could reshape organizations—from decision-making and workflows to innovation and productivity. Under his leadership of VSB’s new Human-centric & Agentic AI Lab (HAAL), students are helping move that research forward while gaining firsthand experience with the technologies transforming business today. HAAL is an innovative research hub where faculty and students explore timely and important issues concerning AI in the business world, with access to virtual computational platforms they can use to build AI pipelines, create autonomous agents and conduct data-driven analyses. Dr. Joglekar’s goal is to actively engage undergraduate students in the research process.
Dr. Wang joined VSB in 2025. An applied microeconomist who works on bridging the gap between academic ideas and real-world problems, Dr. Wang teaches Behavioral Economics, Introduction to Microeconomics and Experimental Economics. Her research interests include behavioral economics and managerial decision-making, and her work has been published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, European Economics Review, and the Journal of Neuroscience, Psychology and Economics, among others. Dr. Wang previously served as chair of the Economics Department at Wichita State University and earned her PhD in Economics from George Mason University. ASSISTANT PROFESSORS Spencer Andrews, PhD The Diana & James Yacobucci ‘73 Assistant Professor, Finance & Real Estate
Dr. Andrews joined VSB in 2025. His research lies at the intersection of empirical asset pricing and investments, with a focus on short selling, hedge funds, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. His work has been published in the Journal of Financial Economics, among others, and he previously served as a research economist at the Office of Financial Research within the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Dr. Andrews earned his PhD in Finance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 2024–2026 Dean’s Report 8
Investing In Faculty
Marina Cozac, PhD
Brian Grant, PhD
The Lisa D’Alessandro ’87 Assistant Professor, Marketing and Business Law
Assistant Professor, Accounting & Information Systems
Dr. Cozac joined VSB in 2024. Her research is focused on food consumption, preferences and perceptions; consumer health and well-being; news consumption; misinformation; technology; and transformative consumer research. She has presented her work at multiple national conferences and published in the Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, Journal of Business Research and Journal of Consumer Affairs. Dr. Cozac holds a PhD in Marketing from Florida State University.
Jeanna Kenney, PhD
Gayoung Park, PhD
Assistant Professor, Economics and Finance & Real Estate
Assistant Professor, Marketing & Business Law
An applied microeconomist with interests in real estate, urban economics and labor economics, Dr. Kenney joined VSB in 2025 and teaches courses in both the Economics and Finance & Real Estate departments. Her research focuses on real estate economics, including household mobility, market concentration and home appraisal, and has been published in Real Estate Economics, Journal of Labor Economics and Journal of Labor Economics, among others. Dr. Kenney earned her PhD in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. 9 Villanova School Of Business
Dr. Grant joined VSB in 2024 and is passionate about helping students understand complex tax concepts. His research focuses on international tax issues and policy, including tax enforcement, international tax avoidance and tax policy effectiveness. Drawing on his experience advising multinational companies with two Big Four firms, Dr. Grant began his career as a manager at KPMG and PwC and is a certified public accountant in New York. He earned his PhD in Accounting from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University-Bloomington.
Dr. Park joined VSB in 2025. She researches consumer well-being, technology adoption, financial decisionmaking and the effects of framing, including studies on credit card debt repayment and AI systems. Dr. Park has published and presented her work at various conferences, including the annual meeting of the Association for Consumer Research. She completed her PhD in Marketing at Virginia Tech, where she taught Introduction to Digital Marketing Strategy as well as Product Price and Management.
Investing In Faculty
Anthony Rice, PhD The Megan ’07 and Matthew ’06 Baldwin Assistant Professor, Finance & Real Estate
Cory Ng, DBA Associate Teaching Professor, Accounting & Information Systems
Dr. Rice joined VSB in 2024. His research interests are in corporate finance with a focus on political economy, behavioral finance and sustainable finance. Dr. Rice has presented his work at numerous international conferences and seminars and has published in the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis. Dr. Rice previously served as assistant professor of finance at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and he earned his PhD in Finance from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.
Dr. Ng joined VSB in 2025. Recognized for his expertise in emerging technologies in accounting, he is the co-author of Artificial Intelligence in Accounting: Practical Applications. Dr. Ng brings a combination of experience in public accounting, professional leadership and academia, previously serving as CFO and vice president of administration at the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs with prior academic appointments at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University. He earned his Doctor of Business Administration from Wilmington University.
TEACHING PROFESSORS
VISITING PROFESSOR
Amanda Acevedo, PhD
Thao Vuong, PhD
Assistant Teaching Professor, Accounting & Information Systems
Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor, Finance & Real Estate
Dr. Acevedo joined VSB in 2024. Her real-world perspective as an accounting professional who is active in the field informs her teaching at VSB, particularly in her Financial Accounting course. She is a certified public accountant in Maryland and former senior audit associate at KPMG, and she earned her PhD in Accounting from Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business.
Dr. Vuong joined VSB in 2024. He teaches about derivatives and risk management, corporate finance, financial markets, and fintech, and his research interests include deep learning in continuous-time finance, dynamic noisy signaling, financial networks and banking. Dr. Voung earned a PhD in Mathematics from the Georgia Institute of Technology and PhD in Finance from the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis.
2024–2026 Dean’s Report 10
Investing In Faculty
VSB Adds Six New Endowed Faculty Positions ENDOWED FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
VSB Names Inaugural Mahoney Family Foundation Senior Research Fellow Karen Ton, PhD, associate professor of Accounting & Information Systems at VSB, will begin a new role this fall as the inaugural Mahoney Family Foundation Senior Research Fellow. Made possible through the generosity of Michael Mahoney ’72 VSB, the fellowship will support Dr. Ton in advancing meaningful scholarship in accounting
In less than four years, the number of endowed faculty positions at VSB has grown more than 50%. Generously funded by philanthropic gifts, these positions recognize scholar-teachers at the top of their fields and expand the School’s capacity for high-impact work in and out of the classroom. Since 2024, VSB has added six endowed faculty appointments across key disciplines that are central to VSB’s mission of developing strong business leaders. Christopher Kilby, PhD The James Joo-Jin Kim Endowed Chair in Economics
while contributing to research excellence at VSB.
Benjamin Scheick, PhD, ’03 VSB
Dr. Ton’s research focuses on financial reporting, auditing
Caitlin Dannhauser, PhD, ’05 VSB
and regulation. In particular, she examines the intended and unintended consequences of financial market and audit regulation on auditors, investors and managers. Her work has appeared in leading academic journals, and she serves on the editorial board for Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory. A respected faculty leader and trusted mentor, Dr. Ton plays an active role in shaping the VSB community and
The Hovnanian Family Endowed Chair in Real Estate
The Vincent B. ’88 and Nicole DiDomenico Jr. Endowed Senior Research Fellow in Finance
Kyoung Yong Kim, PhD The Kevin J. Hughes Family Endowed Senior Research Fellow
Karen Ton, PhD The Mahoney Family Foundation Senior Research Fellow
Timothy B. McCulloch ’14 MBA The James F. Kelly Jr. ’55 VSB Endowed Professor of Practice in Professional Selling
academic experience through curricular innovation and her dedicated service to numerous research initiatives, programs and committees. She also played an integral role in launching the Villanova Accounting Research Conference, which has made Villanova a destination for accounting scholars from universities across the country.
6 NEW ENDOWED among 20 total endowed VSB faculty appointments
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TEACHING AND LEARNING
VSB continues to elevate the student experience across undergraduate and graduate programs through a focus on exceptional teaching, rigorous and relevant curriculum, and meaningful career preparation. These efforts ensure that students are not only grounded in core business fundamentals, but also equipped to adapt and lead in a rapidly evolving landscape. The result is a learning environment that connects classroom insight with real-world impact.
Growing as Leaders and Global Citizens A DEFINING MOMENT FOR AUGUSTINIAN LEADERSHIP JOURNEY IN ROME Much more than a trip, a pilgrimage is a transformative experience—and it was just that for the second cohort of Villanova seniors in VSB’s Ryan Family Augustinian Leadership Journey (ALJ) program.
Their one-week immersion pilgrimage to Italy in 2025 included a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a private audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. The Holy Father offered his blessing and a call to action, urging these future business leaders to remember the importance of ethics in business and to use technology to change the systems that perpetuate poverty and hunger. Launched in 2023, this selective two-year, non-credit program equips students to lead with a distinctly Augustinian Catholic model of leadership on campus and in the world after graduation.
2024–2026 Dean’s Report 12
schools to advance excellence in business education, cooperation and global engagement. This partnership establishes a faculty researchcollaboration program with particular emphasis in the fields of accounting, international business and sustainability.
AN IMMERSIVE MBA EXPERIENCE IN SOUTH KOREA VSB’s Professional MBA Global Practicum Capstone takes students beyond the classroom and into markets around the world—including India, Budapest and Prague, South Africa, Argentina and Chile, Japan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. In spring 2025, VSB set off for its first-ever week-long immersive experience in South Korea. Splitting their time between Seoul and Busan, the MBA cohort explored the booming startup scene, visited iconic Korean brands and completed a real-world consulting project with an international startup. From savoring local flavors on a food tour to stepping outside their comfort zone in a K-pop dance class, students gained a deeper understanding of both business and culture in a global marketplace. VSB DEEPENS PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY In April 2026, VSB signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Galway’s College of Business, Public Policy, and Law and its J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, establishing a partnership between the two 13 Villanova School Of Business
Building on an active academic exchange program that began in the 1990s and was formalized in 2001, this agreement will include a faculty exchange, virtual research roundtables, hosting of PhD students and post-doctoral graduates, and visiting teaching and research opportunities. Since fall 2016, 167 Villanova students have spent a semester at Galway, and since 2007, Villanova has welcomed over 30 students from Galway on the The McGuinn Irish Scholars Program. The Galway agreement adds to other collaborative agreements between VSB and international universities, which includes close cooperation with the University of Urbino in Italy, under which VSB students participate in the Business, Culture in the Italian Context program and faculty visit and teach in Urbino’s PhD in Global Studies.
Teaching and Learning
New Program Updates Introducing flexible formats, expanding analytics and AI education, and preparing students for the future of work, VSB is advancing its curriculum and program offerings to keep pace with today’s ever-changing business environment. • In fall 2024, VSB introduced a Fast Track option that allows students to earn a Villanova Professional MBA in as little as 18 months through an accelerated hybrid format. Designed for working professionals, the program offers classes on campus, in Center City Philadelphia and online to give students the flexibility to meet personal and professional obligations while enhancing their career prospects. Students can also opt to pursue one of seven innovative specialization areas as part of the Professional MBA: Applied Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Analytics, Finance, International Business, Marketing, Strategic Management or Sustainability. • An AI-powered evolution of the MS in Business Analytics, VSB’s newly reimagined Master of Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (MSBAi) program launched in fall 2025. With AI-assisted coding, custom AI agents and real-world projects, the 30-credit online program prepares professionals to lead in the age of intelligent business. Students use advanced analytics and AI tools, including Python, R, generative AI and agentic AI frameworks, to turn complex data into clear, actionable business insights. • As of fall 2025, a new Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence co-major is available for VSB undergraduate students, equipping them with a deep understanding of business intelligence and advanced analytic tools that businesses need today. • Additionally, four new VSB concentrations and minors launched in 2025: All VSB students can pursue an Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation minor; and Economics majors can now pursue a Public Policy, Quantitative Business or International concentration.
APPLIED AI & MACHINE LEARNING is Villanova’s fastest-growing Professional MBA Specialization
2024–2026 Dean’s Report 14
Teaching and Learning
confidence they need to navigate an evolving and increasingly competitive job market.
A Hub for Professional Growth In 2025, the Charlotte and James V. O’Donnell ’63 Center for Professional Development celebrated 10 years of impact at VSB as the go-to destination for undergraduate professional development services and initiatives. For most of that time, the O’Donnell Center shared a physical space with the Clay Center at VSB, which offers academic advising for undergraduate students—but that changed in November 2024 as the Center began a new chapter with the opening of a dedicated space in Bartley Hall, home of VSB. The new space provides more room to accommodate its expanded offerings and growing staff. Established in 2015 through the generosity of Jim O’Donnell ’63 VSB and his wife, Charlotte, the Center enriches students’ academic experience with hands-on learning and professional development opportunities that support their career goals. Through individualized coaching, job-search consulting and robust programming, the Center helps students build the skills and 15 Villanova School Of Business
The O’Donnell Center leads the delivery of the Backpack-to-Briefcase curriculum, professional development coaching, experiential education initiatives and the undergraduate/alumni Mentor Program. It partners with VSB faculty, VSB academic departments and Centers of Excellence, student business societies, and the Villanova Career Center to offer career education and employer programs. Additionally, the Center collaborates with campus partners to build employer relationships and help students secure externships, internships and co-op opportunities that align with their interests. Through its many initiatives, programs and partnerships, The O’Donnell Center creates opportunities for students to learn about themselves and the business world by engaging with practitioners and applying classroom lessons to the real world.
The grand opening of the O’Donnell Center’s new home coincided with another milestone for Jim O’Donnell ’63 VSB, who received the Bartley Medallion later that evening in recognition of his extraordinary impact on VSB and the University. He and his wife, Charlotte, commemorated the occasion with a photo.
STUDENT EXCELLENCE
Our students continue to set a high bar for achievement. Rooted in Villanova’s shared values, our community fosters a distinctive learning environment—one that challenges, supports and prepares students to deliver exceptional outcomes long after graduation.
Two VSB Seniors Named Among 2026 Best & Brightest Recognizing exceptional academic performance, leadership and impact beyond the classroom, Poets&Quants honors 100 of the most accomplished senior business students from the nation’s top undergraduate business programs each year. Two Villanova students were named to the 2026 list of the 100 Best & Brightest Undergraduate Business Majors: Sofia Arrascue ’26 VSB Hailing from Deer Park, N.Y., Arrascue is a triple major in Finance, Management and International Business at VSB. President of both the VSB Dean’s Undergraduate Student Advisory Council and the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Arrascue was also a Global Leadership Fellow and Global Key Ambassador for the Office of Education Abroad who participated in three study abroad programs and earned second place at the San Diego State University International Business Case Competition. After graduation, she joined Wells Fargo as an emerging healthcare technologies corporate banking analyst.
John Henry Gingrich ’26 VSB A native of Lancaster, Pa., Gingrich majored in Finance with a minor in Business Law. As captain of the Villanova Men’s Swimming and Diving Team, he earned a spot on the BIG EAST All-Academic Team and the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll while also serving as vice president of operations and budget for the Dean’s Undergraduate Student Advisory Council and volunteering with the Special Olympics and VSB Day of Service. After graduation, he joined Goldman Sachs in New York City as a private wealth management analyst.
2024–2026 Dean’s Report 16
Student Excellence
Fostering Interdisciplinary Research to Enhance the Student Experience VSB houses five Centers of Excellence that expose students to the most important trends shaping today’s business landscape and preparing them to navigate complex business challenges. Cutting across traditional academic disciplines, the Centers draw on the expertise of faculty, staff and industry leaders to drive innovation in programming, research and curriculum. Over the past two years, the Centers have continued to expand opportunities for students through forward-thinking programming, interdisciplinary collaboration and new experiential learning initiatives. STUDENT-MANAGED DILELLA CENTER FUND GROWS PORTFOLIO AND PERFORMANCE
THOUGHT LEADER LECTURE EXPLORES THE IMPACT OF GENERATIVE AI ACROSS INDUSTRIES
Experiential learning is a hallmark of the Daniel M. DiLella Center for Real Estate, where students apply classroom knowledge through real-world investment opportunities. During the spring 2026 semester, a student-led fundraising campaign raised $150,000 for the Daniel M. DiLella and Thomas M. Mulroy Real Estate Student Managed Fund. Since its inception in 2018, the fund has grown to a gross asset value of $1.6 million, with $1 million in assets under management. The portfolio now includes 10 active and six realized investments, with an average internal rate of return (IRR) of 30% and 2.17x equity multiple.
Villanova’s Center for Business Analytics (CBA) prepares VSB graduates to become leaders who can ethically and responsibly analyze and translate data points into meaningful insights to be used for good. To guide and inspire them in this pursuit, CBA hosts thought leaders, researchers and industry pioneers who are making an impact in business and society.
Under the leadership of Megan McGinnis ’10 VSB ’15 MBA, assistant professor of practice, the fund completed three investments across multifamily housing, hospitality and retail sectors. As asset managers, acquisitions analysts and capital markets analysts, student participants gain hands-on experience sourcing and underwriting deals, building industry relationships and presenting recommendations to an investment committee. 17 Villanova School Of Business
In 2025, the Center hosted a Thought Leader Lecture with Jay Loveland ’03 CPE, a veteran leader in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) with experience at Lockheed Martin (defense systems), ESPN (consumer analytics and personalization) and Nike (AI/ML engineering). Chief AI and Analytics officer at The Hartford Insurance Group, Loveland provided captivating insights into how leading organizations harness generative models to drive innovation and create personal user experiences—from enhancing the Nike app and powering digital commerce, to advancing defense and intelligence at Lockheed Martin, to fueling Tesla’s self-driving technology with Nvidia.
Student Excellence
MAYMESTER PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO EXPAND AND INCREASE ACCESS TO GLOBAL LEARNING A hub for VSB’s international initiatives, faculty research, service and outreach activities, the Elenore and Robert F. Moran Sr. Center for Global Leadership (MCGL) promotes cross-cultural awareness and strengthens Villanova’s participation in the global communities in which our students will work and advance ethical and responsible leadership for the betterment of business and society. Since the 2019 launch of its very first “Maymester” program to Sydney, Australia, MCGL has developed a portfolio of Maymester programs that provide students with opportunities to study abroad in a compact format: Strategic Information Technology in Germany, Global Operations and Supply Chain Management in Iceland, Global Operations in Panama and International Accounting in Ireland. These short-term, intensive courses combine academic lectures with business meetings, corporate site visits and cultural experiences. In response to continued demand from students and faculty, the initiative continues to expand, and plans are underway to launch an International Finance Maymester in 2027 to Central Europe.
2024–2026 Dean’s Report 18
Student Excellence
MARKETING COMES ALIVE DURING ADVERTISING WEEK Villanova’s Center for Marketing and Consumer Insights (CMCI) bridges the classroom and industry, enabling students to experience the dynamic field of marketing through realworld case studies, industry conferences and corporate immersion programs. Nearly 30 VSB undergraduates made the trek to the Big Apple with CMCI for Advertising Week New York 2025. This worldwide gathering of marketing, advertising, technology and brand professionals put students in the room with some of the industry’s brightest minds. Students attended daytime seminars and workshops on brand storytelling, sports marketing, Gen Z consumer behavior and the future of AI, gaining fresh perspectives as they continue building on the knowledge and skills they are honing as aspiring marketers at VSB. A visit to the interactive exhibit hall showed students how AI is shaping marketing in real time, as tech and analytics companies demonstrated some of the most creative ways they’re using AI.
Fifteen bishops from across the United States gathered on campus in July 2025 for the inaugural week of Church Management discussions. Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez celebrated the opening Mass in St. Thomas of Villanova Chapel.
CHURCH MANAGEMENT HOSTS SECOND COHORT OF NEWLY ORDAINED BISHOPS A global resource for church management knowledge, Villanova’s Center for Church Management enables current and future church leaders to steward the human, financial and other resources of the church by exposing them to business best practices in a Christian context of mission and ministry. With the blessing and invitation of Pope Leo XIV himself, the Center will welcome a second cohort of newly appointed North American bishops to campus for a four-day immersive program this July. A business education program designed specifically for bishops, Church Management and the Diocesan Apostolate brings these church leaders together to discuss the challenges and opportunities in church governance and delivers the actionable knowledge and tools they need to directly address the realities of their day-to-day roles.
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Student Excellence
Jene Baquet ’26 VSB
Matthias Miller ’28 VSB
Prestigious National Leadership Program Selects Two VSB Students In 2024, Jene Baquet ’26 VSB became the first VSB student to participate in The Institute of Responsible Citizenship’s highly selective Washington Program—and, as of February 2026, Matthias Miller ’28 VSB was the second. Only 12 students nationwide are chosen each year for this two-summer opportunity, which supports some of the best and brightest African American male college students in the country. Participants spent a month each summer living with their cohort in Washington, D.C., while completing internships to gain valuable industry experience. They take part in challenging academic seminars, meet with prominent leaders from the public and private sectors, and attend leadership and professional development workshops.
Academic excellence, service, leadership and the ability to succeed and serve in multiple arenas set both young men apart in a highly competitive applicant pool. Baquet, who graduated in May with a degree in Finance, balanced academics with his involvement in the National Association of Black Accountants and Villanova Community Outreach and serving as manager for the Villanova women’s basketball team. Miller, a Finance major, serves as a Student Government Association senator and finance chair for both the Black Student Union and the National Association of Black Accountants. Both are members of Villanova’s chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. This summer, Miller began his first year in Washington, D.C., and Baquet moved to New York to start his career as an analyst at BlackRock. 2024–2026 Dean’s Report 20
Student Excellence
VSB BY THE NUMBERS Villanova’s tight-knit community creates a unique learning environment that enables VSB students to achieve exceptional outcomes.
UNDERGRADUATE CLASS OF 2029
18%
8,033 Applicants
Admit Rate
1,658
42%
31% Yield Rate
25
Female Students
Undergraduate Business Students Enrolled in Fall 2025
Average Class Size
CLASS OF 2025 OUTCOMES
97.1%
95.9%
Students Seeking Internships or Co-Ops Who Secured at Least One
VSB Undergraduates Successfully Secured Opportunities*
$
86,287 Average Starting Salary
*Knowledge rate of 93.9%
GRADUATE AND EXECUTIVE PROGRAMS
812
Graduate-Level Business Students Enrolled In Fall 2025
95.8%
VSB Specialized Masters Students Successfully Secured Opportunities*
Female Students Among All Graduate Business Programs**
*For the 24-25 academic cycle, with a knowledge rate of 91% | ** Based on Fall 2025 enrollment 21 Villanova School Of Business
41%
STRONG CONNECTIONS
VSB’s strong connections with an engaged alumni network and trusted industry partners open doors to mentorship, expand professional networks and create pathways to internships and career opportunities. Together, they ensure students are supported not only during their time at VSB, but well into their professional journeys.
Dean’s Advisory Council in Action Over the past two years, the VSB Dean’s Advisory Council has played an increasingly vital role in shaping the School’s direction and deepening the student experience, working closely with Dean Mao to advance key priorities. Made up of 40 highly engaged business leaders and accomplished alumni, friends and parents—from
partners, principals and portfolio managers to CEOs, CFOs and COOs—the Council represents a wide range of industries and executive expertise. These members contribute their time, talent and insight, providing real-time industry perspectives that inform VSB initiatives. Their involvement extends beyond strategy to direct student engagement, from in-class guest lectures and mentoring office hours to immersive, day-long visits at their organizations. Through this hands-on partnership, VSB students gain unparalleled access to expertise, networks and real-world perspective, so they are ready to take on the challenges of a rapidly evolving business landscape.
SCAN HERE TO VIEW ALL OF THE DEAN’S ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS Joining Dean Mao on campus for meaningful conversations with alumni, parents and friends about VSB’s programs and initiatives, the Dean’s Advisory Council members are hands-on partners who provide invaluable industry insight. 2024–2026 Dean’s Report 22
Strong Connections
Inside the C-Suite: Top Executives Bring Thought Leadership to Campus An integral part of preparing VSB students to become the next generation of business leaders is connecting them with the leaders shaping business today. The opportunity to hear directly from executives guiding some of the world’s most influential institutions brings classroom concepts to life in ways that few experiences can. Over the last two years, VSB has welcomed prominent business and thought leaders to campus for a variety of engaging events, including intimate panel discussions and fireside chats with Dean Mao. These conversations inspired and informed students while strengthening key corporate partnerships with VSB. Here are a few highlights from the events:
When Rick Wurster ’95 VSB, president and CEO of The Charles Schwab Corporation, came to campus, he shared valuable insights about evolving trends in the financial services industry. He answered students’ questions and shared career advice. Wurster also took time to connect with students during and after the discussion, answering their questions, sharing career advice and snapping a few selfies along the way.
During a fireside chat with Dean Mao, Goldman Sachs President and COO John Waldron shared perspectives on career success, navigating the recruitment process, the power of mentorship, and his outlook on the future of technology and innovation at Goldman Sachs.
23 Villanova School Of Business
Strong Connections
PwC US Assurance Leader Deanna Byrne encouraged students to embrace flexibility and lifelong learning as the accounting profession evolves. Byrne shared insights from her own career journey; her thoughts on AI’s role in the accounting industry; and the importance of continued learning, networking and relationship-building for students pursuing careers in accounting.
Corporate Partnerships That Shape Careers From global financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies to leading healthcare systems, consulting firms and emerging startups, VSB students and graduates are making an impact across industries around the globe. Through internships, experiential learning and career opportunities, students build connections with organizations shaping the future of business. The companies below represent just a small sampling of the many employers and partners that engage with and hire VSB talent. Strong employer partners for VSB include those who made the greatest number of hires from the past several graduating classes and/or are actively engaged with the Centers of Excellence and/or O’Donnell Center Corporate Sponsorship and Experiential Education Programs. Barclays
Deloitte
JPMorganChase
RBC Capital Markets
Bloomingdale’s
Deutsche Bank
KPMG
Reckitt
Boston Consulting Group
Equus Capital Partners
Morgan Stanley
SAP
CBRE
EY
MUFG
Truist Securities
Citi
FTI Consulting
UBS
CMI Media Group
Goldman Sachs
Omnicom Media Group
Crowe
Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies
Dell Technologies
Protiviti PwC
Wells Fargo WPP
2024–2026 Dean’s Report 24
University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS, and Wen Mao, PhD, The Helen and William O’Toole Dean of VSB, with the 2026 Bartley Medallion recipients Michael J. Mahoney ’72 VSB and Mario Masrieh ’12 VSB.
Celebrating Alumni Legacy and Leadership Across Generations As the highest distinction VSB can bestow upon its alumni, the Bartley Medallion recognizes leaders who make a meaningful impact in their careers, in their communities and at Villanova. During its annual Bartley Medallion Ceremony this April, VSB honored two outstanding alumni— Michael J. Mahoney ’72 VSB, the 2026 Rev. Joseph C. Bartley, OSA Medallion recipient, and Mario Masrieh ’12 VSB, the inaugural Rev. Joseph C. Bartley, OSA, Young Alumni Medallion recipient. Throughout his successful career as a leader and executive in the telecommunications industry, Mahoney remained a strong advocate for Villanova and a true believer in the value of Catholic higher education. He has made a tremendous impact on VSB by generously supporting the Mahoney 25 Villanova School Of Business
Family Endowed Professorship in Business and the Mahoney Family Foundation Senior Research Fellowship. Through both of these endowed positions, Mahoney’s enduring legacy will continue to help VSB advance faculty research and attract top teacher-scholars. Presented to VSB alumni who have graduated within the last 15 years and reflect the quality and caliber of today’s VSB student, the new Young Alumni Medallion brought fresh energy to a timehonored tradition. Masrieh, an emerging leader in private equity and investment, exemplifies what it means to be an engaged young alumnus. He serves on the VSB Dean’s Advisory Council, regularly connects with students and recently established an endowed fund to expand personal finance education at VSB.
Strong Connections
In May, the Class of 2026 joined VSB’s thriving alumni network, with more than
45,000 members worldwide
YOUNG ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
From Student Leader to Engaged Alumnus
Undergraduate Advisory Council, helping establish a lasting tradition of student feedback and leadership that continues to shape the VSB experience today. In 2025, he became the youngest person ever appointed to the VSB Dean’s Advisory Council, and in April, he was named the inaugural recipient of the Bartley Young Alumni Medallion. These milestones speak to the Miami native’s willingness to lead, his commitment to giving back and his eagerness to remain deeply engaged in the VSB community. Graduating from VSB in 2012 with a dual degree in
As the keynote speaker and moderator for a financial literacy event at VSB in spring 2026, Masrieh connected with students and shared insights on personal finance alongside four fellow Villanova alumni panelists.
Accounting and Finance, Masrieh began building
At nearly every stage of his VSB journey, Mario
leadership positions with Gridiron Capital and Trivest
Masrieh ’12 VSB has helped set a new precedent. As a student, he served as the inaugural chair of the
an impressive career immediately. He started out as an analyst at Morgan Stanley and quickly rose to Partners. Amid his professional success, he remains deeply connected to Villanova as a leader, mentor and adviser. 2024–2026 Dean’s Report 26
THE POWER OF GIVING
Support for VSB continues to grow through the generosity of alumni and partners who are deeply invested in the School’s future. Their philanthropy fuels key priorities—from enhancing the student experience to advancing faculty research and innovation.
Investing in the Next Generation Since the public launch of Espiritus Nova: The Campaign for Villanova in 2024 VSB’s supporters have made gifts totaling $31 million across endowments, restricted gifts and unrestricted funds. These generous gifts allow us to expand the impact of our research, scholarship and student activities, all of which greatly enrich the VSB student experience and community and further strengthen the College’s international reputation. Among the most significant gifts:
• Two new endowed senior research fellows
• $3 million to support a program in the Center for Church Management
• Numerous major gifts for VSB student scholarships
• $1.5 million estate gift, an addition to an existing $1 million estate gift to endow a chair position
These contributions expand opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, while strengthening VSB’s impact as a leading business school. The power of giving is evident not only in what it makes possible today, but in the momentum it builds for the years ahead.
• $1 million to endow a Business of Fashion Fellow and support the society to expand programming across campus • $1 million to endow an Entrepreneur in Residence to support expanded entrepreneurial programming • $1 million to establish a new student-managed fund 27 Villanova School Of Business
$31.8 MILLION in total gifts, across endowments, restricted gifts and unrestricted funds
From all of us at VSB, we thank you for your continued support in developing the next generation of business leaders for a better world! 2024–2026 Dean’s Report 28
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