Guirguis with his former students.
By Lauren Raziano & Jocelyn Visnov, Senior Writers
Hany S. Guirguis, Ph.D., will serve as the interim dean of the O’Malley School of Business, effective June 1, 2024. Guirguis will step in for Don E. Gibson, Ph.D., who has served as dean of the O’Malley School of Business since 2018.
Gibson previously announced he would be leaving the college at the end of the semester to serve in a new position in his native state of California, which launched the search for an interim dean. Interim provost Rani Roy shared the news of Guirguis’ appointment in an email to the Manhattan College community on March 20.
“Dr. Guirguis brings a wealth of experience to the position along with 24 years of service to Manhattan College,” the email read. “He served as Chairperson of the Department of Economics and Finance from 2010 to 2018, was the Louis F. Capalbo Professor of Business from 2013 to 2018, and holds the Ambassador Charles A. Gargano Endowed Chair from 2019 to the present. Dr. Guirguis is the author or co-author of numerous publications, and has published various papers with undergraduate students from Manhattan College as his co-authors.”
Guirguis has taught a number of classes within the economics and finance department throughout his career at MC, including Business Statistics, Money and Banking, Advanced Econometrics, Corporate Structuring and Finance, Financial Modeling and Managerial Economics among others.
Guirguis commented on his recent appointment to interim dean in an email to The Quadrangle.
“I’m honored to be the Interim Dean of the O’Malley School of Business and am touched by the warm support I received from my colleagues at Manhattan College,” Guirguis wrote. “Following in the footsteps of Dean Gibson is a challenging task that I will do my best to accomplish. I want to convey to the community of Manhattan College that I see the current challenges as a valuable opportunity for a positive momentum and upward trajectory for the School of Business.”
Guirguis hopes to meet with various members of the O’Malley School of Business prior to the start of his term as interim dean.
“I will meet with our faculty, industry partners and alumni in the next few weeks to discuss our plans, vision and brand,” Guirguis wrote. “I am confident and optimistic that the future of the O’Malley School of Business is bright. My confidence is based on our highly dedicated faculty, engaging alumni, rich inheritance, and unique location.”
As Dean Gibson departs from MC, Grishma Shah, Ph.D., professor of marketing and management, is grateful for his leadership.
“Dean Gibson has been a very steady and steadfast dean as he has taken us through some difficult items, as will Dr. Guirgius in the next few months and years,” Shah said. “As you know, the college is facing several challenges that Dean Gibson’s handled quite well, including our AACSB visit coming up next week for our continuing accreditation. I wished him lots of luck at St Mary’s in California and I’m very excited to be in good hands with Dr. Guirgius.”
Shah spoke of her optimism for the future of the O’Malley School of Business under the newly appointed interim dean.
“I’ve always found him [Dr. Guirguis] to be very collegial, very cooperative,” Shah said. “When it comes to working environments, he tends to look at things in a very balanced way. I’m excited that he will be serving as interim dean because I think he’ll take into account student perspective as well as faculty and admin perspective to hopefully balance everyone’s viewpoint.”
As director of global business studies, which requires an academic immersion aspect, Shah is looking forward to working with Guirgius to get students more financial support and scholarships.
“The global business program requires that we have an immersion for anyone’s minors or majors in it,” Shah said. “I do think that some of our students need more support financially and resources to study abroad. I’m hoping that Dr. Guirgius understands that as we look into having the college board of advisors or old alums, who’ve been on some of these global emergence programs, can support scholarships so that more students can take advantage of the opportunity.”
O’Malley School of Business (OMSB) continues to support students through many strong programming events throughout the year, such as the innovation challenge and the OMSB seminar series.
Shah understands that although there have been many changes at MC, many programs in the OMSB have continued to be successful.
“I understand that the college is in challenging times right now,” Shah said. “But I would like students within the School of Business and just generally at Manhattan College to understand that the faculty and particularly leadership at the team level is trying very hard to continue progress, high level of programming, high-level majors, high-level classes for everyone. I think Dr. Guirguis is a good choice because he understands that that is the most critical factor in making sure that college has sustainability long term.”
Junior accounting major Kathy Vu, who served on Dean Gibson’s advisory council, noted she is looking forward to getting to know Guirguis as he takes on the role of interim dean.
“Dean Gibson is the dean of the people,” Vu wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “Being a part of his advisory council has given me insight into his dedication and passion for this school and its students. I know Dr. Hany Guirguis will bring the same dedication to the school and I am excited to see what he does. I wish Dean Gibson the best as he continues the next chapter of his career.”