Provost Andy Feinstein, left, presented Dean David Steele with a plaque commemorating his service to San Jose State at a farewell reception Nov. 13.
More than 100 members of the San Jose State community, alumni and donors stopped by the Boccardo Business Center on Nov. 13 to say goodbye to Lucas College of Business and Graduate School Dean David Steele. Provost Feinstein hosted a farewell reception in which he recognized Steele’s seven exemplary years of service to the College of Business and San Jose State.Steele departed SJSU to assume the presidency of Woodbury University in Burbank.
During his seven years with the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business, Steele strengthened the global and local reputation of his programs by branding them as the Silicon Valley Experience. Under his tenure, eight major annual conferences launched such as the Global Speakers Series and the Economic Summit. The college consistently ranks as a top business school in “US News and World Report,” most recently as one of the top three business schools in the Bay Area and the seventh among California public/private institutions for first-time pass rates for the CPA exam.
Steele fostered connections between industry leaders for his students and faculty, specifically through the creation of six Executives-in-Residence positions along with the development of five new centers or institutions. More than 130 industry members serve on the boards of the centers and institutes, allowing students and faculty to connect with professionals in their fields. At least 4,500 students, alumni and members of the public attend events sponsored by the college each year.
Beyond these achievements, he focused on student success and faculty recruitment. He shepherded the development of the Jack Holland Student Success Center and oversaw the implementation of an experimental first-year program that provides incoming freshman in the college with an iPad. In the last seven years, he has recruited 34 excellent tenure/tenure-track faculty members and his professors were lauded in a review by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Dr. Marlene Turner will serve as interim dean until a permanent dean is selected via a national search.