Introducing Interim Dean Naren Agrawal: A Steady Hand and a Forward-Looking Vision
When Naren Agrawal steps into his role as interim dean of the Leavey School of Business on January 1, 2026, it will mark both a familiar homecoming and a new chapter in leadership for the School. A longtime member of the Leavey community and the Benjamin and Mae Swig Professor of Information Systems and Analytics, Naren is known for his thoughtful approach to problem-solving, his commitment to collaboration, and his deep belief in what Leavey contributes to the region and the world.
“It’s an honor to return to this role,” Naren shared. “Leavey is a place where students, faculty, and staff are genuinely invested in one another’s success. I’m excited to help steward that momentum in the months ahead.”
A Scholar with a Global Lens
Naren’s academic career spans supply chain strategy, service operations, and manufacturing competitiveness - fields that have never been more critical or more dynamic. His research has appeared in leading journals, including Harvard Business Review and Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, and his co-edited book, Retail Supply Chain Management, is now in its second edition.
In 2020, he received a Fulbright Fellowship to work with Ahmedabad University in India, advising on the creation of a center of excellence for the country’s rapidly evolving retail sector. That experience, he says, continues to shape how he thinks about the future of business education.
“Business is increasingly global, interconnected, and reliant on technology and data,” he noted. “Our job as educators is to prepare students for that reality - while grounding everything we do in ethics, purpose, and impact.”
Leadership Rooted in Collaboration
Naren is no stranger to leadership roles at Santa Clara. He has served as Associate Dean of Faculty, Chair of the Operations Management & Information Systems Department, and, from 2020 to 2021, interim dean of the Leavey School of Business - a period that demanded steady, strategic guidance.
In his previous leadership roles, Naren has emphasized collaboration and clarity. He approaches decisions with a focus on listening, gathering context, and ensuring the School moves forward with a shared sense of purpose.
“One of Leavey’s greatest strengths is the breadth of knowledge among our faculty and the dedication of our staff,” he said. “When we work collectively - across departments, programs, and disciplines - we create opportunities that simply wouldn’t exist otherwise.”
Looking Ahead
As the School prepares for Dean Ed Grier’s retirement at the end of December, Naren’s appointment provides continuity and a clear sense of direction. He sees the coming months as an opportunity to reinforce the foundation on which the next era of Leavey will be built.
“In times of transition, it’s important to reaffirm who we are,” he said. “Leavey has always stood for rigorous, relevant and impactful scholarship, applied learning, and an unwavering commitment to educating leaders of competence, conscience and compassion. I’m eager to support our community as we continue this work to maximize our impact, and explore ways to partner with our incredible Bronco family of alums, advisors and collaborators in this quest.”
“As we bid farewell to Dean Grier and express our gratitude for his many contributions to Santa Clara University, we are fortunate to have Professor Agrawal guiding the Leavey School of Business through this period of transition as interim dean,” said Santa Clara University Executive Vice President and Provost Jim Glaser. “A successful scholar and teacher, Naren brings a collaborative spirit and a clear sense of purpose that will serve the School well as it enters a new chapter of leadership and innovation.”