Geoffrey Garrett named as new USC Marshall dean
The international political economist and current dean of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School will join USC in 2020.
USC leaders have selected world-renowned political economist Geoffrey Garrett as dean of the USC Marshall School of Business.
Garrett is an expert in global economics, politics, business and management who currently serves as dean of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He will join USC Marshall in July 2020.
“Our Marshall School of Business has found a tremendous leader in Geoffrey Garrett,” said USC interim President Wanda M. Austin. “He has a demonstrated track record in global business theory and practice, which aligns with our mission to create the leaders of the future.”
Since 2014, Garrett has led the Wharton School, where he is also the Reliance Professor of Management and Private Enterprise and a professor of management and political science. He previously was dean of the business schools at the University of Sydney and University of New South Wales in Australia.
Geoffrey Garrett is a world-class political economist and the ideal choice to advance USC Marshall’s commitment to excellence.
Carol L. Folt
“Geoffrey Garrett is a world-class political economist and the ideal choice to advance USC Marshall’s commitment to excellence,” said USC President-elect Carol L. Folt. “His vision and leadership will be invaluable as we expand our business school’s worldwide impact. I am eager to work with Dr. Garrett as we continue to foster the extraordinary work of our Marshall faculty, staff and students.”
Homecoming for new USC Marshall dean
When Garrett joins USC next year, it will represent a homecoming. He taught as a professor of business administration, communication, international relations and law at the university from 2001 to 2005. Garrett said he is excited to return to Los Angeles and was drawn to the leadership role at USC by the business school’s many strengths.
“USC Marshall is innovative, entrepreneurial and global, with great faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends,” he said. “There is tremendous momentum at the school. This is a great foundation on which to build.”
Garrett was born in Australia and earned his bachelor’s degree with honors from Australian National University. He completed his master’s and doctoral degrees in political science at Duke University, where he was a Fulbright Scholar.
He has taught at Oxford, Yale and Stanford universities, and is the founding CEO of the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. Garrett also led the Pacific Council on International Policy in Los Angeles as its president and was dean of the UCLA International Institute. He is known for his astute commentary on international business, economics and politics, both in news media and through his highly read blog on LinkedIn.
Garrett said his primary goal when he joins USC next summer will be immersing himself in the university’s culture by meeting with faculty and staff members, students, alumni and other members of the USC community.
My first year will be all about listening and learning.
Geoffrey Garrett
“My first year will be all about listening and learning,” he said. “I think I have a pretty good appreciation for the world of business and education and for what USC Marshall has achieved. But the DNA of the school is its people, and I have so much to learn from them and about them.”
Gareth M. James to serve as interim dean
University leaders also announced that Gareth M. James will lead USC Marshall as interim dean. James is the E. Morgan Stanley Chair in Business Administration and a professor of data sciences and operations at USC Marshall, and he also directs the Institute for Outlier Research in Business. He has been with USC Marshall for more than 20 years and previously served for four years as vice dean for faculty and academic affairs.
An expert in statistical methodology, James specializes in functional data analysis and high-dimensional statistics and their application in marketing. He was born in New Zealand and holds degrees in statistics and finance from the University of Auckland. He completed his doctorate in statistics at Stanford University in 1998, where he was a Fulbright Scholar, and he joined USC soon afterward.
USC leaders thanked James G. Ellis, outgoing dean of USC Marshall, for guiding the school during a period of significant growth and academic achievement. Under his leadership and working with faculty, staff and students, USC Marshall has steadily climbed in overall business school rankings, in addition to earning recognition for its faculty research, entrepreneurship and support of military veterans.
“I look forward to working with both Dr. Garrett and Dr. James, as well as our faculty, staff and students, to drive innovation and global economic leadership through the USC Marshall School of Business,” Folt said.
