The enterprising leadership of Dr. Natasha Munshi, dean of the W. Fielding Rubel School of Business at Bellarmine University, leaves the school well-positioned for continued success when she steps down on July 31 to pursue opportunities in the private sector. “Dr. Munshi impressed us with her vision to strengthen the Rubel School as a hub for transformative business education, and she has delivered on that vision,” said Dr. Paul Gore, vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Our strong Rubel School faculty will continue to challenge and support our students to become future business leaders in our community and beyond.” Details on a replacement will be announced later in the semester. Under Dr. Munshi’s guidance, and with the support of the administration, faculty and staff, the Rubel School: 
  • Extended its prestigious accreditation by the AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), a distinction held by fewer than 5 percent of business schools worldwide. “This intense peer-review process confirms a school’s continued focus on excellence in all areas, including teaching, research, curriculum development and student learning,” the AACSB said. “The Rubel School’s dedication to delivering high quality business education will create the next generation of great leaders.”
  • Adopted a new Strategic Plan centered on excellence in teaching, curricular and co-curricular innovation, new program development and community engagement.
  • Established a new Executive Board made up of senior executives from the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.
  • Continued to innovate its signature weeknight, weekend and executive MBA program, which was recognized by U.S. News & World Report last year as being among the nation’s best.
  • Launched novel Executive Education and Certificate programs that align with market opportunities, such as the Accounting Analytics Certificate and an Emerging Leaders program with Kroger.
  • Began a monthly series of community workshops and an Executive Speaker series.
  • Started a podcast series that spotlights Rubel School faculty, student and alumni initiatives.

 

“During my tenure as dean, we exceeded expectations for what the Rubel School of Business was able to accomplish, and the impact we were able to create for our students and the regional community,” Dr. Munshi said. “The initiatives we created responded to corporate and community needs—a key priority for the school. The Rubel School of Business is now poised to extend its offerings to new and untapped audiences in the region and beyond.”

 Dr. Munshi, who came to Bellarmine in 2020, plans to return to the San Francisco area to launch a venture that will focus on supporting lifelong learning. “I aim to partner with higher education institutions and corporate clients to set up innovative strategic partnerships that will ultimately transform communities,” she said. Dr. OJ Oleka, a member of the Rubel School Executive Board and president of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU), said he believes the Rubel School is the strongest it has ever been thanks to Dr. Munshi’s contributions.  “Dean Munshi has been a fantastic leader for Bellarmine,” said Oleka, who earned an MBA and a Ph.D. in Leadership in Higher Education from Bellarmine. “We have exciting, innovative programs and partnerships, dedicated faculty and staff, and an energy that will be a permanent part of Rubel going forward. Our best days are yet to come.”