Naren Agrawal is the interim dean of the Leavey School of Business, returning to lead the school after previously serving in this role from July 2020 to June 2021. He brings to this position extensive administrative experience and a deep commitment to faculty development and academic excellence.
Throughout his career at Santa Clara University, Agrawal has demonstrated strong leadership across multiple roles. He served as Associate Dean of Faculty from 2010-2015, where he championed faculty recruitment, development, and research initiatives. Prior to that, he chaired Leavey’s Operations Management & Information Systems Department from 2008-2010. His collaborative approach and strategic vision have consistently fostered innovation and growth within the Leavey School.
During his previous tenure as interim dean, Agrawal launched the Dean's Virtual Speaker Series on "Leading in Turbulent Times," connecting the Leavey community with prominent business leaders navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The series featured conversations with executives, including CEOs of HP, Wayfair and Zillow, providing students and faculty with timely insights on resilient leadership during unprecedented disruption.
As interim dean, Agrawal is focused on advancing the school's mission to develop ethical business leaders who serve society while maintaining the academic rigor and innovative spirit that define business education in Silicon Valley. Working closely with faculty, staff, students, and the business community, he strives to ensure the Leavey School continues its tradition of excellence in teaching and research.
Agrawal currently holds the Benjamin and Mae Swig Professorship in Information Systems and Analytics, where his expertise spans supply chain management, service operations, and emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and machine learning. His scholarship has been published in leading journals including Harvard Business Review, Operations Research, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, and Production and Operations Management. A distinguished educator, he has received the Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence annually since 1996 and was named Professor of the Year by the Executive MBA cohorts in 2018, 2024 and 2025.
Beyond the university, Agrawal is an advisor to startups, consults with companies in the retail and hi-tech industries, and serves as a trustee and Co-Vice Chairman of Give2Asia, a nonprofit organization promoting philanthropy throughout Asia. He earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from the Institute of Technology, BHU, India; his M.S. in management science from the University of Texas at Dallas; and his M.A. and Ph.D. in operations and information management from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.