Dean W. Brooke Elliott has announced three new leadership appointments at Gies College of Business, all of which take effect on August 16. Dr. Nerissa Brown has been named the College’s new Executive Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Dr. Ravi Mehta will serve as the new Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, and Dr. Tiffany White will lead as the new Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs.

Nerissa Brown, professor of accountancy, Josef and Margot Lakonishok Faculty Fellow, and PwC Faculty Fellow, joined Gies College of Business in 2018. She previously served as academic director of Gies Business’ Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Master of Accounting Science programs. She rose to the rank of full professor in 2022. She served as associate dean of graduate programs from 2022-2025 and added the title of chief learning innovation officer in 2024. In her role as executive associate dean, Brown will provide high-level oversight of all graduate programs as well as the Innovation & Transformation, Teaching & Learning, and Access & Engagement units. Her role will also partner with the College’s academic units and departments to support curricular innovations and programmatic expansion. Brown fills the role vacated by Brooke Elliott, who became the College’s 11th dean in 2024.

Ravi Mehta, professor of business administration, associate head of the Department of Business Administration, and Josef and Margot Lakonishok Faculty Fellow, will fill Brown’s vacated role as associate dean of graduate programs. Mehta joined Gies Business in 2011. He has served as academic director of Gies’ Master of Science in Technology Management program and holds a joint appointment with Gies and the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. He became a full professor in 2023. As associate dean, Mehta will provide day-to-day strategic leadership of all online and on-campus graduate programs.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Nerissa Brown and Ravi Mehta for all the tremendous work they’ve done for our College over the last several years,” said W. Brooke Elliott, Josef and Margot Lakonishok Professor in Business and Dean. “These appointments will help strengthen our leadership structure within graduate programs, further enhance the student experience, and position the College for continued growth and innovation.”

Tiffany White, professor of business administration and Bruce and Anne Strohm Faculty Fellow, has been named the new associate dean of undergraduate programs. She takes over for Dr. Nehemiah Scott, who held the position since 2023. Since joining Gies Business in 1999, White has held numerous leadership roles across both undergraduate and graduate education. She served as area head of marketing from 2010-2011 and director of graduate study from 2012-2014 in the Department of Business Administration. She has served as the University of Illinois and Big Ten faculty athletics representative since 2018 – a role she still holds. And since 2019, she has served as academic director of Gies’ Master of Science in Management program. As associate dean, White will lead strategic planning, operations, budget, and communications for the Office of Undergraduate Programs at Gies. This includes admissions and recruitment, student engagement, academic affairs, and more.

“Tiffany White brings a wealth of experience and a strong vision for the future of our undergraduate education,” said Dean Elliott. “Her deep understanding of curriculum development, proven leadership of the Master of Science in Management program, and professional engagement across campus will be instrumental as we continue our push to expand access to our innovative undergraduate programs and to enhance the learner experience.”