Spotlight on Poole College of Management Dean Annette Ranft

Annette Ranft comes to campus after serving as senior associate dean of academic affairs at the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business. We sat down with Ranft to discuss her experience and how she plans to build upon the Poole College of Management’s success.

What past experiences have shaped your academic leadership, and how will you integrate your experience into your new position?

I have been fortunate to have had professional opportunities in both education and industry. Early on in my career, I worked in technology rich environments with AT&T and EDS. That experience has informed how I approach my research and classroom instruction as a faculty member. Both of those experiences have also informed how I approach academic leadership. As an academic leader in a college of management, I work to bridge and blend practice and academia in a fulfilling and rich way for our students, staff and faculty, all with an eye toward industry and developing the best possible outcomes for our alumni and employers.

What initially drew you to NC State, and in particular to your college?

Given my background and interest in technology management, the Poole College of Management seemed like a great fit.

The idea of joining a young college, embedded in a STEM-based institution with a “Think and Do” spirit, was very appealing.

How do you plan to build upon the success achieved by previous college leadership, as well as faculty, staff and students?

The Poole College of Management is an innovative, young college with a global perspective. We have great relationships with NC State and Poole alumni, and strong ranked programs in several areas across the college. Our faculty and staff have built these programs and relationships and they will provide the foundation for our future.

What do you hope to achieve during your first academic year as dean?

In this first year as dean, I will strive to focus on our people, our programs and our partnerships, all while developing a deeper understanding across the college of our strategy and what makes us distinct as a college of management. I am excited to be part of the university’s comprehensive campaign launch this year to focus on building a stronger resource base in the future for the college and the university.

What are you looking forward to most during the coming year?

I am looking forward to being a member of the Wolfpack and continuing to build on the great foundation of the Poole College of Management!

Learn more about how Dean Ranft and the Poole College of Management educate tomorrow’s leaders through the university’s active integration of teaching, research, and engagement.