Sridhar Sundaram
When students return to in-person coursework at Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics in fall 2021, the college will be led by a new dean.
On April 12, university and college officials announced that Sridhar Sundaram will take the college’s helm on July 15. Sundaram is currently South Florida University’s Tiedemann-Cotton Dean for the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance and campus dean for the Muma College of Business. Sundaram will replace Morteza Rahmatian, who is retiring from the CSUF business school’s deanship to focus on teaching economics.
A 31-year veteran of higher education, Sundaram has served as a faculty member in finance and has a strong background in academic and professional leadership. An MBA and doctoral alumnus of Southern Illinois University‒Carbondale, Sundaram earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees in accounting from PSG College of Arts & Science in Tamil Nadu, India.
Since the 1990s, he has advanced in a number of roles, including department chair, academic director, associate dean and dean. Sundaram has also consulted with regional businesses and served on several boards, including his present role as chair of the board of governors of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and a board member for Saint Anthony’s Hospital.
Sundaram’s wife is Suganthi Sridhar, an associate professor of biology. They have a daughter, Saranya, and a son, Sharath.
Recently, Sundaram helped the business community address the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, undertaking a scholarly project examining the impact of COVID-19 on minority-owned microbusinesses. He is assessing government policies relating to these enterprises and the beneficial long-term implications of these programs.
Looking ahead to his new position at Cal State Fullerton, Sundaram plans to emphasize academic excellence and innovation, building the college’s reputation as a research hub, and expanding the college’s connections to the business community in Southern California and beyond.
“I am truly excited about the opportunity to lead the College of Business and Economics to its next level of development and excellence,” he says. “I am impressed by the college’s commitment to the academic success of its students and to regional economic development through its centers of excellence.”
Read more about Sundaram and the leadership change at the College of Business and Economics at CSUF News.
