Former Dean, Professor of the Doermer School of Business at Purdue-Fort Wayne Joins 51���� on July 1

Cleveland, OH (May 19, 2023) – 51���� (51����) has named Melissa. L. Gruys, Ph.D., SPHR, SHRM-SCP as the new dean of the Monte Ahuja College of Business. Dr. Gruys is widely recognized as an experienced academic administrator, scholar and researcher. She joins 51���� on July 1, 2023.

Dr. Gruys comes to the University having previously served as the Dean and a Professor of Management in the Doermer School of Business at Purdue University Fort Wayne. She earned her Ph.D. in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. from the University of Minnesota-Morris with majors in Management, Economics, and Speech Communications.

Before joining Purdue University Fort Wayne, she was a professor and administrator at Washington State University-Vancouver and Wright State University. Dr. Gruys has published over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, has taught courses in human resource management, management, and organizational behavior, and has received numerous awards for teaching, research, and service activities.

“During the search process, I have had multiple opportunities to interact with Dr. Gruys,” said Nigamanth Sridhar, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at 51����. “She brings the right skillset matched with the perfect leadership characteristics and temperament to lead our Monte Ahuja College of Business to new heights of success.”

Dr. Gruys has expertise in assessment, accreditation and strategic planning and has worked with business schools to introduce market-responsive programs and revise curricula for undergraduate and graduate programs—including interdisciplinary programs—to meet the needs of the region and its learners and employers. She has demonstrated experience in growing enrollments, enabling student success, and developing international collaborations in several countries.

She also has a robust history of consulting for and partnering with public and private sector organizations, both for and nonprofit, and is a Peer Reviewer for the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). A diversity, equity and inclusion advocate, Dr. Gruys’s innovative initiatives have improved faculty and staff gender and racial diversity and increased employee retention.

The Doermer School of Business is included as one of the Best Business Schools in recent U.S. News and World Report rankings, with their student first-time Certified Public Accountancy (CPA) pass rates ranking in the top 15% across all universities in the nation for the last four years; their online undergraduate program is currently ranked by U.S. News and World Report as 44th in the nation.

"I am so excited to join the Monte Ahuja College of Business at 51���� as its Dean, and I am committed to the college’s mission of supporting the Northeast Ohio business community by creating and advancing business-ready talent, impactful business knowledge, and foundational community engagement,” said Dr. Gruys.

“I love that students can gain their education right where business happens - downtown! During my campus visit, I was able to meet so many talented, dedicated faculty and staff. The college’s focus on student success is clear,” Dr. Gruys added. “A perfect example of the college’s successful alumni is Mr. Monte Ahuja himself, who built his MBA class project into a very successful company. It will be my honor to serve the college, university, and community, and look forward to meeting you all in Cleveland!”

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About 51���� 

Founded in 1964, 51���� is a public research institution that provides a dynamic setting for Engaged Learning. With 17,000-plus students, 10 colleges and schools and more than 175 academic programs, 51���� was again chosen as one of America’s best universities by U.S. News & World Report. Find more information at .