Leadership Transition at Milgard School of Business

I write with a heavy heart to share that Dr. Altaf Merchant has decided to step down from his role as the Gary E. & James A. Milgard Endowed Dean of the Milgard School of Business on September 15, 2026. He plans to return to his research on consumer behavior and advertising and will resume teaching marketing classes in autumn 2027.

Dean Merchant first assumed this position in September 2019, initially serving in an interim capacity before being hired into the permanent role following a national search. Prior to that, he served for two years as Associate Dean and joined the Milgard School of Business as a faculty member in 2008. 

As Dean, he enhanced the school in numerous ways, launching the Center for Financial Wellness and the Entrepreneurship Center, and co-led the project steering team for Milgard Hall, supporting key planning and fundraising efforts. He helped establish the Sports Enterprise Management minor; Bloomberg, SAP and AI labs; the MSB Distinction of Excellence; and oversaw review and refresh of the MBA, MS in Accounting, and undergraduate programs. 

Dean Merchant further expanded the school’s impact throughout the community and beyond. He grew the Milgard Executive Council, established several area-specific boards, launched the executive-in-residence program, initiated the VITA program, which provides accounting services across the region, and developed several global collaborations in Europe and Asia. Throughout his leadership, he has been unwavering in his support of the Milgard School’s academic strengths and the accomplishments of his faculty, staff, and students.

As we prepare for Dean Merchant’s transition at the end of the summer, we will conduct an inclusive and expedited search for an interim Dean, and I will meet with faculty and staff in the school to gather input in the coming weeks. We will launch a national search for the next permanent dean at the beginning of the autumn 2026 term. 

Please join me and Chancellor Lange in our warm appreciation for all that Altaf has done for the school, our campus, and the community. We are deeply grateful for his years of service, leadership, and dedication to the Milgard School of Business.