Narayanaswamy named School of Business Administration dean
Ravi Narayanaswamy has been chosen as the new dean of the School of Business Administration effective July 1, 2025.
Dr. Ravi Narayanaswamy has been named dean of the University of South Carolina Aiken’s School of Business Administration, effective July 1. Currently serving as director of graduate programs and a tenured full professor, Narayanaswamy has been instrumental in aligning academic innovation with real-world market demands.
“To truly innovate, academia must cultivate groundbreaking ideas and diligently bridge the chasm between theoretical brilliance and the tangible demands of the real-world market, transforming knowledge into impactful solutions,” Narayanaswamy said.
A pioneer in curriculum development, he’s led the design and redesign of more than 20 courses and introduced high-impact micro-credential programs in areas such as Microsoft, project management, entrepreneurship, and personal money management.
Narayanaswamy has secured multiple research grants totaling over $110,000 to support impactful studies across digital commerce, privacy, and economic development.
Most recently, he served as a lead researcher on a $100,000-funded project examining the economic impact of the Savannah River Nuclear Laboratory. He has also mentored several undergraduate research projects funded through competitive Magellan Scholarships, exploring topics such as customer service in e-commerce, bug bounty programs, and online privacy.
As a USCA’s Dean’s Council and Strategic Planning Committee member, he has established essential industry partnerships, most notably with Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP), to integrate practical training into Human Resources courses and cultivated an entrepreneurial mindset among students. These collaborations have secured $30,000 in funding for student scholarships.
“We look forward to Ravi's leadership of the School of Business Administration,” said USCA Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. Phil Bridgmon. “During the search process, he presented a clear vision for the SOBA that includes a focus on preparing students as professionals and entrepreneurs. He has been a leader in expanding access to our programs and outreach to the CSRA. His commitment to shared governance and partnerships fit very well with our university values. We are grateful he is willing to step into this leadership role during an exciting time for USCA and SOBA.”
Narayanaswamy earned a meritorious ranking for 15 consecutive years and several accolades for his outstanding service to the School of Business Administration and achievements in scholarship.
As chair of numerous university committees, including Courses and Curriculum, Promotion and Tenure, and Faculty Governance, Narayanaswamy has digitized faculty evaluations and championed technological advancement across campus. He also developed a structured funding process to support faculty scholarship while playing a pivotal role in establishing virtual machine computer labs and enhancing instructional technology.
Narayanaswamy holds a doctorate in management from Clemson University and advanced degrees from Kennesaw State University and Ohio University. He has an extensive research portfolio spanning topics in electronic marketing, digital retail strategy, information systems, and higher education.
For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at [email protected].