Boston University Hospitality Dean Arun Upneja Stepping Down
SHA Dean Arun Upneja, stepping down after July 31, will take a one-year sabbatical before returning to the school’s faculty.
Boston University School of Hospitality Dean Arun Upneja Stepping Down
His 13-year leadership raised SHA’s global profile and academic connections
Arun Upneja, who as dean of Boston University’s School of Hospitality forged relations with international partners and globalized SHA’s education and reputation, will step down on July 31. Following a year’s sabbatical, he’ll return to BU’s faculty.
“After guiding the school through a period of transformative growth, I feel it is the right time to step back,” says Upneja, who has served as dean for 13 years. “This transition will allow new leadership to comprehensively review everything we have built and bring a fresh perspective and new energy to guide the school into its next chapter.”
After guiding the school through a period of transformative growth, I feel it is the right time to step back.
Tanya Zlateva, dean of BU’s Metropolitan College, will serve as SHA’s interim dean, effective August 1.
In a letter sent to BU faculty and staff on June 30 announcing the leadership change, Gloria Waters, outgoing provost and chief academic officer, noted that under Upneja, “SHA has undergone a transformation, enhancing academic offerings, bolstering industry-relevant research, and expanding international partnerships that have significantly elevated the school’s visibility.
“Dean Upneja successfully launched multiple graduate programs and developed recognized expertise in hospitality real estate education that has improved the school’s global reputation. SHA has also become a recognized staple in the hospitality sector for its symposiums, international venture competitions, and digital thought leadership platforms that engage industry professionals and build connections across the field.”
Upneja’s Classroom-to-Classroom initiative linked SHA to many universities internationally, including in France, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and India. The program matches BU classes with similar ones at partner institutions. “Students from both schools are placed into groups to work collaboratively on international projects throughout the semester,” Upneja says. The groups jointly present final projects on a live video conference to faculty at both universities, giving students “the necessary skills to integrate and connect with people from different cultures” in the global hospitality industry.
Additionally, he says, “We completely transformed our academic portfolio to reflect the complexity and data-driven nature of the modern industry,” introducing STEM-certified master’s programs in hospitality management and hospitality real estate. The latter is the only master’s in real estate at a US hospitality school. The school now offers specialized concentrations in events management and real estate development and finance tracks in its master of management in hospitality program and recently launched a master’s degree in sport and entertainment management.
Upneja also oversaw creation of the yearly SHA Leadership Summit of global executives and industry innovators.
These changes propelled the school from being unranked globally before 2019 to standing among the top 22 programs in the US, he says. “I am profoundly proud of the supportive employee and student culture we have cultivated. We have intentionally nurtured a positive, inclusive environment where innovations are welcomed, diverse perspectives are valued, and dialogue flows freely.”
Upneja’s post-sabbatical plans include teaching—“My true calling: educating, guiding, and mentoring the next generation of industry leaders.” He also plans to organize “structured dialogues” with industry leaders to bridge the industry-academia divide and shape research that is “both rigorous and immediately applicable to the challenges facing our sector.”
Finally, he will explore how artificial intelligence can automate “repetitive, monotonous tasks” in hospitality. “The goal is not to replace human touch but to help liberate our workforce. We can empower professionals to focus on what matters most: human connection and the creation of unique, exceptional experiences,” Upneja says.