OMAHA, Neb. (Diya TV) — The University of Nebraska at Omaha has selected Indian American scholar Gurpreet S. Dhillon as the next dean of its College of Business Administration, marking a major leadership appointment for the growing institution. His term is set to begin January 12, 2026, pending approval by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.
Dhillon currently serves as a professor in the Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences at the University of North Texas. He also holds the G. Brint Ryan Endowed Chair of AI and Cybersecurity. He brings more than 20 years of international experience in business education, research leadership, and technological innovation across the United States, Europe, and Asia.
University leaders say Dhillon’s background reflects UNO’s goal of strengthening its position in business education and expanding its reach in the region. Phil He, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, said Dhillon offers a rare mix of scholarship, vision, and global leadership. He said Dhillon’s work at the intersection of business, technology, and society will help propel the college’s mission.
Dhillon said he is drawn to UNO because of its focus on access, innovation, and community engagement. He said business education must adapt quickly as the world becomes more digital and interconnected. He believes students need strong skills to compete and lead in a rapidly changing economy.
He said he hopes to work closely with faculty, staff, students, and local partners to build new opportunities for the Omaha community. He said his goal is to create a business school that prepares graduates to thrive in an era shaped by artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and global change.
Dhillon said the college must develop a multidisciplinary environment that encourages innovation and ethical leadership. He said he wants students to understand how business, technology, and society connect and influence each other.
Dhillon has held academic appointments on three continents, building a career that spans teaching, research, and organizational leadership. His work in information systems, cybersecurity, and digital transformation has received global recognition.
He earned his Ph.D. in information systems from the London School of Economics. He also holds an honorary doctorate from Örebro University in Sweden. Before beginning his graduate studies, he completed a biology and chemistry degree from Panjab University Honors School in India and an operations management degree from Punjabi University.
Dhillon has written more than a dozen books. His graduate textbook on cybersecurity is widely used in classrooms around the world. He has published over 100 research papers in leading academic journals. His research has appeared in major media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, CNN, NBC News, and NPR.
Stanford University ranks him among the top 2 percent of researchers globally in his field. Scholar GPS places him in the top 0.05 percent of researchers worldwide. He also holds the No. 29 global ranking in information security for career-long scholarly impact.
Dhillon will take over from Interim Dean Steve Schulz, who has led the College of Business Administration for the past year. University officials say they expect Dhillon to guide the college through a period of continued growth, especially in areas like digital business, innovation, and workforce development.
UNO leaders say Dhillon’s strong record in research, teaching, and collaboration makes him a natural fit for the college’s future. They say his commitment to community engagement will help strengthen partnerships across the Omaha region.
