Rowan selects new dean for the Rohrer College of Business

Following a competitive national search, Rowan University has hired Matthew Sarkees, Ph.D., as dean of the William G. Rohrer College of Business (RCB), starting August 19.

Sarkees, a professor of marketing and chair of Villanova University’s Department of Marketing and Business Law in the Villanova School of Business, brings 30 years of professional experience to the RCB. He is a highly accomplished educator and researcher who has written extensively about pharmaceutical and healthcare marketing issues in the context of strategy and public policy.

At Villanova, Sarkees led successful initiatives in faculty recruitment, enhanced research support and teaching excellence. He elevated mentoring support, integrated experiential learning, implemented curriculum innovations, and diversified career opportunities for students through business community outreach.

Earlier in his academic career, Sarkees served in multiple marketing faculty positions including in the College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University and the Haub School of Business, St. Joseph’s University. Prior to academia, Sarkees worked in management and marketing roles, including positions at Ernst & Young and IBM. He is also a certified public accountant.

“Dr. Sarkees is a proven leader whose experience in the classroom and the business community will serve the Rohrer College of Business and its students very well,” said Rowan University Provost Tony Lowman. “He comes to Rowan during a period of great excitement and opportunity at both the college and university level and will help drive the popular and growing college forward for years.”

“I am honored to serve as the next dean of the Rohrer College of Business and thank President Houshmand, Provost Lowman and the Rowan community for this exciting opportunity. The passion that faculty, students, staff and alumni have for the RCB mission and values is evident. I look forward to collaborating with our stakeholders to continue to enhance the close-knit RCB community and deliver superior value to our students through a world-class educational experience,” Sarkees said.

The college, which in 2022 celebrated its 50^th anniversary, follows a model of business for the greater good and emphasizes entrepreneurship across all its majors and programs. The Princeton Review last year ranked the RCB’s undergraduate entrepreneurship program #40 nationally, a 10-place jump in just three years.

On the precipice of securing R1 public research university status, Rowan is a top 100 national public research institution offering bachelor’s through doctoral and professional programs in person and online to 23,000 students. 

Sarkees will assume RCB leadership from Interim Dean Morris Kalliny, who was appointed following the departure of Dean Sue Lehrman in 2023. Kalliny will join the Office of the Provost to further develop international programs and integrate campus-based global programs into Academic Affairs.