Brooklyn College has named Shalei V. K. Simms, Ph.D., as the new Dean of the Murray Koppelman School of Business, effective July 1, 2026.
Simms currently serves as Dean of the School of Business at SUNY Old Westbury, where she leads an AACSB-accredited school serving one of the most diverse student populations in the SUNY system. A tenured faculty member and accomplished academic administrator, she brings extensive experience in business education, accreditation, faculty development, fundraising, and student success at public, mission-driven institutions.
At SUNY Old Westbury, Simms successfully led the School of Business through its initial AACSB accreditation, strengthening academic quality, assessment, and faculty scholarship. She has guided strategic planning, expanded online and flexible program delivery, secured philanthropic and grant support, and cultivated industry and community partnerships that enhance experiential learning, internships, and career pipelines for students.
“Dean Shalei V. K. Simms’ experience at a public, AACSB-accredited business school made her a strong choice to lead the Koppelman School of Business,” said Michelle J. Anderson, President of Brooklyn College. “Her commitment to access, excellence, and social mobility also aligns with our mission.”
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs April Bedford emphasized the importance of preparing students to translate their academic experience into real-world impact. “Our students are already developing critical thinking, communication, analytical, and collaborative skills in our classrooms every day,” Bedford said. “We have an opportunity and a responsibility to help them recognize, articulate, and apply those skills in ways that open doors after graduation. We are looking forward to Dean Simms leading that work at the Koppelman School of Business.”
A nationally recognized leader in innovative program development, Simms has spearheaded initiatives in online learning and launched an AI Across the Curriculum effort to ensure students graduate with the ethical and technological competencies required in a rapidly evolving business landscape. She has also secured millions of dollars in public and private funding to support high-impact practices, retention, and graduation outcomes for first-generation and high-need students.
As the only business school in Brooklyn accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)—the world’s leading accrediting body for business education—the Murray Koppelman School of Business offers rigorous and affordable undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting, business administration, economics, finance, and information systems, preparing students for leadership in New York City’s global economy.
“Brooklyn College has a powerful legacy as a driver of opportunity and social mobility,” Simms said. “I am honored to join this extraordinary institution and look forward to working with faculty, students, staff, alumni, and partners to strengthen academic excellence, expand innovation, and ensure that Koppelman graduates are prepared to lead with skill, integrity, and purpose.”
Prior to her deanship, Simms served as Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Old Westbury, where she supported academic planning and accreditation across multiple schools and departments, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and oversaw federally and state-funded student success initiatives. Her earlier roles include Director of Graduate Programs and faculty appointments at SUNY Old Westbury, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Rutgers University, and the University of Connecticut.
Simms holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Management from Rutgers Business School and is an internationally published scholar whose research focuses on social identity, decision-making, entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership. She has received numerous honors for her scholarship and professional leadership and serves on several nonprofit and financial institution boards.
Simms succeeds Interim Dean James Lynch. The Brooklyn College community welcomes her leadership as the Murray Koppelman School of Business builds on its strong foundation and advances its impact for students, the city, and the region.
