The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has announced that Dr. Anjala Krishen, a distinguished marketing professor and long-time faculty leader, has been appointed Interim Dean of the Lee Business School, effective immediately. Most recently, she served as Associate Dean of Executive Education and Corporate Engagement. 

“After consulting with faculty, staff, students, and key constituents, Dr. Krishen emerged as a strong choice to lead the Lee Business School during this vital period of transition,” said Kate Hausbeck Korgan, Officer in Charge, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost in announcing the appointment of Dr. Krishen as interim dean.

Dr. Krishen received a bachelor’s of science in Electrical Engineering from Rice University, and a master’s degree in marketing, a master’s degree in business administration, and a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech University. She has been a professor since 2007. Anjala has published over 90 interdisciplinary research papers in journals, including Industrial Marketing Management, Psychology & Marketing, Journal of Services Marketing, European Journal of Marketing, and Journal of Marketing Education.

Dr. Krishen has held key leadership positions in the Lee Business School since 2018. She served as Special Advisor for Research, Director of MBA Programs, and Department Chair of Marketing & International Business before her current role as Associate Dean for Executive Education and Corporate Engagement. In these roles, Dr. Krishen initiated several efforts including the creation of four new dual-MBA programs, designing and recruiting a donor advisory board, and developing two endowed scholarships for Marketing & International Business students. As the Mel Larson Endowed Chair of Marketing and Associate Dean of Executive Education & Corporate Engagement, Dr. Krishen’s depth of experience in strengthening corporate partnerships and expanding executive education programs at the Lee Business School has buoyed the school’s impact. 

Dr. Krishen has been recognized with teaching and research awards, including the UNLV Foundation Distinguished Teaching award (2015), the Barrick Scholar Award (2016), the Harold and Muriel Berkman Research Grant Award (2016), the UNLV Alumni Association Outstanding Faculty Recipient (2019), and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award (2022). This year, Anjala was the recipient of the 2025 Barrick Distinguished Scholar Award, one of UNLV’s highest honors. She is the first business professor to receive this prestigious award, which recognized her interdisciplinary work in marketing, data analytics, and consumer behavior.

As an educator, Dr. Krishen is committed to student success. She also has an impressive record of graduate mentorship through scholarship. She has co-authored more than 35 publications with graduate students, helping launch their careers into Ph.D. programs, competitive industry roles, and faculty positions. With a large and growing number of undergraduate Business majors, thriving master’s programs, and plans for a future doctoral degree, I’m confident that Dr. Krishen is well positioned to promote academic excellence and the success of LBS faculty and students.

Recently, Prof. Krishen, was the featured guest speaker at the recognition dinner for the Las Vegas Indian‑American Class of 2025—hosted by VegasDesi.com. In her inspiring keynote, she shared insights from her journey in both the corporate world and academia, focusing on the importance of early engagement with faculty and building a personal brand.