Founding Dean of UCSD's Rady School of
Management Robert Sullivan is an internationally
acclaimed expert on entrepreneurship,
knowledge management, operations and venture
financing. Prior to his arrival at UCSD,
Sullivan served as dean of UNC's Kenan-Flagler
Business School, director of the University
of Texas at Austin's IC2 Institute, dean
of the Graduate School of Industrial Administration
at Carnegie Mellon University and in a
variety of posts at the University of
Texas. Sullivan was also a Peace Corps
volunteer in Ethiopia. He holds a doctorate
in operations management from Pennsylvania
State University, a master's degree in
production management and quantitative
methods from Cornell University, and a
bachelor's degree in mathematics from
Boston College.
| Q |
The Rady School of Management recently held the inaugural commencement ceremony for the class of 2006. How did it feel to see the first 58 men and women graduate from the Rady School of Management? |
Sullivan:
August 20, 2006 was another milestone event for the Rady School of Management
and for UC San Diego. We graduated the inaugural class. We now have our first alumni –
who we expect will be a part of our community for the remainder of their professional
careers. I’m ecstatic.
| Q |
How has the Rady School of Management grown since its inception? |
Sullivan:
We started on July 1, 2003, at ground zero. We soon will have approximately 220 graduate
students – as bright and accomplished as any in the world. We have world class faculty –
joining us from the very best institutions. And our staff support is extraordinary.
| Q |
What makes the Rady School of Management unique? |
Sullivan: The Rady School is a part of
UC San Diego – and both contributes to and benefits from the strengths of the campus. We attract students
with diverse backgrounds, skill sets and experiences. We believe innovation and management are part and
parcel of the transformational industries of the 21st century – such as the technology and life science
industries. We focus on identifying and developing leaders and innovators.
| Q |
How has this school changed how students think about innovation and business relationships? |
Sullivan: Many of our students not
only dream about new ventures, they are active in creating such ventures. Some may well create the next
Qualcomm or Hybertech- type companies. Others are involved with transforming their current companies in
the most positive way. Innovation and leadership go hand in hand.
| Q |
Why is it important to teach students about the global business environment? |
Sullivan: Our students became engaged
in the world because the world is networked both socially and economically. Innovation is distributed;
invention and effort can come from any part of the world. We recognize this in the design of our programs
and the opportunities we provide.
| Q |
What have been the social and economic benefits of the Rady School of Management? |
Sullivan: Industry leadership has a
responsibility to be both socio-economically responsible, as well as environmentally responsible.
We believe in "sustainable" industry, which focuses on market opportunities that contribute to
communities and to the environment.
| Q |
What's next for the Rady School of Management and its graduates? |
Sullivan:
We move into new facilities in the summer of 2007. As we grow, we will expand our geographical identity and impact.
| Q |
As the founding dean, what are you most proud of? |
Sullivan:
I am proud of all the accomplishments of our staff and faculty. They have been amazing. And I’m extremely proud of this first graduating class of MBA’s. They are pioneers; they will make a difference in the world.
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