Dr. Emmett Tracy named Founding Dean of new School of Business at Emory & Henry College
Dr. Tracy brings extensive senior-level management experience and experience pioneering strategic improvements and enhancing academic and social programs across higher education. Most recently, Dr. Tracy served as Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the School of Business at the African Leadership University.
“We are excited to have Dr. Tracy joining the College as Founding Dean of the School of Business at Emory & Henry,” says Dr. Michael Puglisi, Provost of Emory & Henry College. “He brings a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a record of building programs that will serve us well. I look forward to working with him and members of the team that we will be developing to create the School of Business as another signature component of Emory & Henry College.”
The School of Business at Emory & Henry College is an innovative and dynamic endeavor to develop successful professionals to support the business and economic development needs of the Appalachian region and the world. Rooted in the College’s strategic plan, the School of Business will transform the College’s undergraduate business department and emphasize the value of work and the development of creative, problem-solving leaders. Emory & Henry will be remodeling Carriger Hall to house the new School, including the demolition of Matthews Hall to make room for significant upgrades to Carriger and an updated outdoor space for the entire campus to enjoy. In the meantime McGlothlin Street Hall will be home to the Business Department and Dr. Tracy.
“What I have always valued is measuring entrepreneurial risks and building lasting, impactful projects with talented people,” said Dr. Tracy, “At Emory & Henry there is an incredible combination of talent, strong liberal-arts tradition and civic engagement. Everyone on campus has a commitment to service. At a time when other business schools are hastening to establish goals of circular economy, ethics and civic values, Emory & Henry had established these values from the onset. I’m excited that we will be building a business school based on those values and the tradition of liberal arts, on innovation and a student-centered model, and on the linkage between creative problem-solving and the broader purposes of business. I look forward to working together with the community on those shared goals.”
Dr. Tracy brings the elements of entrepreneur, international executive administrator and digital transformation leader to the School. He has pioneered strategic improvements enhancing academic and social programs across tertiary education. He has focused on practical, value-driven engagements with international corporate partners and created numerous academic and research opportunities with Fortune 500 companies.
“The region of Southwest Virginia and beyond will benefit from Dr. Tracy’s leadership and networks,” said Emory & Henry College President Dr. John W. Wells. “We are committed to keep bright graduates in the region to make an impact toward economic growth and vitality. Social entrepreneurship and small business development is essential to the region. We know it’s a beautiful place to raise families, have access to recreation and affordable housing, and has a pipeline of talent from our graduates. In addition, Dr. Tracy brings an international perspective to business and economic development that will enhance our business program.”
Prior to his work at the School of Business at the African Leadership University, he served at the highly ranked Hult International Business School, as Dean of Postgraduate Studies for the Cambridge (MA) campus. While there he provided leadership in program development, recruitment of faculty and staff, and participated in development of the school’s other campuses in the United States. In the process, he created lasting relationships with Fortune 500 companies including: Google, State Street, Verizon, Citizens Bank, Autodesk, and Qlik. He also previously served as CEO/Strategy Director for KaffeeHouse Digital Ltd., Ireland, focusing on Marketing Analytics and AI Language Learning Platforms.
Dr. Tracy’s educational background includes INSEAD, MBA, France; University of Dublin, Trinity College, Ph.D. Ireland; Columbia University, M.F.A. United States; and Williams College, B.A. United States Highest Honors (Latin). He serves several boards and committees including the Board for Uniform Adjusted Financial Reporting Standards and Executive Committee at the African Leadership University.
Emory & Henry has offered majors in business administration and accounting for more than 50 years. Many graduates currently hold successful business careers as CEOs, accountants, finance directors; faculty; and business owners in various industries throughout the world. The new van Vlissingen Center for Career and Professional Development will work closely with Dr. Tracy on connecting future graduates with various employers for internships and jobs upon graduation throughout the region and world.
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Dr. Tracy brings an international perspective to business and economic development that will enhance our business program.
- President Dr. John W. Wells