Almeida Named Silberman College Dean at FDU

On Aug 25, 2023

Fairleigh Dickinson University has appointed long-time faculty member and administrator James Almeida as dean of the Silberman College of Business.

Almeida joined FDU 25 years ago as a faculty member and has served as associate professor of entrepreneurship. He also has been a member of the senior leadership team at Silberman College for well over a decade and has served as associate dean and interim dean.

 “Having worked closely with Jim for many years, I know well his exceptional talents and his dedication to Silberman College,” said FDU President Michael J. Avaltroni. “He has shown superb leadership in a variety of situations over the years, and his experience and passion will inspire many great achievements for the college.” 

“I am humbled and delighted to be entrusted now by President Avaltroni with the responsibility to lead Silberman College, and we have a very promising future,” said Almeida. “I have taken great pride in my ability to collaborate with colleagues within Silberman as well as across FDU, and our success is owed to these relationships that we have cultivated over the years. While I recognize the challenges that characterize the higher education landscape, I am confident that working together we can take advantage of the numerous opportunities that exist to expand the reach and impact of Silberman College and Fairleigh Dickinson University.”

During his tenure, Almeida has spearheaded a number of firsts at FDU that have propelled Silberman College forward, including the Saturday MBA program, new degree programs in supply chain management and digital marketing, a PharmD MBA option starting with the inaugural PharmD class in 2013 — as well as streamlining and managing one of the most impactful FDU initiatives — the MS accounting program delivered to members of the orthodox Jewish community, which has graduated more than 1,400 students since its introduction in 2006.

He also has led Silberman’s efforts to successfully maintain its AACSB accreditation for well over two decades, and has worked closely with the Silberman College Advisory Board to make it a highly engaged group of alumni and benefactors committed to supporting the college and its students.

Micheline Nader, a member of the University Board of Trustees and chair of the Silberman College Board of Advisors, said, “Dr. James Almeida stands as a remarkable leader and educator whose unwavering commitment to excellence is unparalleled. With a steadfast loyalty, dedication and conscientiousness, Dr. Almeida’s appointment as the dean of Silberman College is truly well-deserved. Under his guidance, the institution is poised to achieve new heights of academic excellence.”

As a faculty scholar, Almeida’s research has been published in preeminent journals such as the Academy of Management Journal and Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice. 

“Jim’s record as a scholar, teacher and leader is outstanding,” said Interim University Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Benjamin Rifkin. “I am delighted that Silberman College has a new dean who already has excellent working relationships with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners.”

Karen Denning, professor of finance and chair of the Department of Economics, Finance and International Business, who has worked closely with Almeida for two decades, said, “In partnership with faculty and students, Dean Almeida will bring positive innovation to Silberman College along with continuing engagement with the external community and ongoing collaboration with other units of the University. He has been pivotal in helping the college to maintain its valued AACSB accreditation and providing transformative educational experiences through new program initiatives, as well as by encouraging the growth of existing programs. I look forward to his leadership.”

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