UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) has appointed Dr. Yasser Alhenawi as dean
of its AACSB-accredited College of Business. He brings to the role extensive experience in
business education, strategic planning, accreditation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Throughout his career, Dr. Alhenawi has built a record of success leading accreditation efforts,
enrollment growth, strategic planning, faculty development, budget oversight, fundraising, and
workforce-aligned program development. His leadership has emphasized collaboration, shared
governance, and building strong partnerships with industry, government, and community
stakeholders.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Alhenawi to SUNY Poly,” said Provost Dr. Andrew Russell. “He
brings deep experience at the intersections of technology and business, and a record of
academic leadership that informs his forward-looking vision for business education. His
strengths in building academic programs and deepening partnerships between academia and
industry partners aligns perfectly with SUNY Poly’s mission. I am confident he will further
elevate the College of Business and build on successful collaborations such as the creation of
the NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence.”
As dean, Dr. Alhenawi will provide strategic leadership for the College of Business while
advancing academic excellence, supporting faculty and student success, overseeing strategic
initiatives, and strengthening partnerships that prepare graduates to meet the evolving needs
of business and industry. He will also serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet.
“I am honored to join SUNY Poly and excited to become part of a university that is making such
a meaningful impact through innovation, research, and student success,” said Dr. Alhenawi.
“My vision is to build a nationally recognized College of Business that serves as the strategic
business partner within a premier technology university. By integrating business education with
emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cybersecurity, we can prepare
graduates who transform innovation into commercially successful ventures that drive economic
growth and create lasting societal impact.”
He added, “The College of Business has an important role to play in advancing SUNY Poly’s
mission. Every graduate, regardless of major, should develop the business acumen,
technological fluency, data literacy, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to succeed in today’s
technology-driven economy. By working collaboratively across the university and building
strong partnerships with industry, government, alumni, and our community, we can create new
opportunities for students while helping strengthen the workforce and economic prosperity of
the Mohawk Valley and beyond.”
Prior to this appointment, Dr. Alhenawi held several leadership positions at other institutions
including Dean of the College of Business and Leadership, Teaching and Learning Center
Manager, MBA Program Director, and Founding Director of the Institute for Banking and
Finance.
Dr. Alhenawi is a Professor of Finance. He earned a Ph.D. and Master of Science in Finance from
the University of New Orleans, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Emporia
State University. He also holds a Bachelor Degree in Engineering from Damascus University. An
active researcher, Dr. Alhenawi has published extensively in leading academic journals and
presented his work at top-tier academic conferences.
Dr. Alhenawi now leads SUNY Poly’s AACSB-accredited College of Business, which offers
undergraduate and graduate programs in accounting, business administration, finance, and
technology management. The college’s accreditation by the AACSB (Association to Advance
Collegiate Schools of Business), earned by fewer than six percent of business schools
worldwide, reflects its commitment to excellence in teaching, research, curriculum innovation,
and student success.
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About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)
SUNY Polytechnic Institute, located in Utica, N.Y., is a vibrant and inclusive community where
students, faculty, and staff are empowered through a forward-looking STEAM education and
dynamic campus experience. Founded in 1966, SUNY Poly is currently celebrating its 60th
anniversary, marking six decades of impact, innovation, and service to the Mohawk Valley and
beyond. As New York State’s premier public polytechnic, SUNY Poly fosters innovation and
interdisciplinary learning across its four colleges—Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, and
Health Sciences—preparing graduates to lead in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Guided by a bold vision for societal impact, SUNY Poly advances use-inspired research and
transformative collaborations that drive economic development, technological progress, and
humanitarian solutions—locally in the Mohawk Valley and globally across diverse communities. For
more info, visit http://www.sunypoly.edu.
