School of Management Names Becker Senior Associate Dean

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Brian E. Becker, professor of organization and human resources, has been appointed senior associate dean in the University at Buffalo School of Management.

In his new role, Becker will work with School of Management Dean John M. Thomas on the review and implementation of the school's strategic plan. He also will work with the school's associate deans to ensure that both degree and non-degree programs are fully aligned with the school's mission and goals.

In addition, Becker will assist the dean in the development and implementation of policies related to all aspects of faculty performance and evaluation, including promotion and tenure.

Becker joined the faculty of the School of Management in 1977 after receiving his doctorate in industrial relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

His academic expertise is in corporate strategic human resources, negotiations and the effect of human resources on firm performance. Becker's current research interests focus on the intersection of human resources and organizational strategy, and his work has contributed empirical support for the emerging area of strategic human resources management.

He is the author or co-author of numerous scholarly articles and books, including "The Workforce Scorecard: Managing Human Capital to Execute Strategy" (March 2005, Harvard Business School Press).

Becker served as chair of the School of Management's Organization and Human Resources Department for more than a decade and is now the chair of the school's strategic management committee. He teaches a course on negotiations in several of the school's MBA programs.

"We are most appreciative to Brian for his willingness to take on this important assignment on behalf of the school," said Thomas.

Becker is a resident of East Amherst.

The Wall Street Journal ranks the UB School of Management 10th in the nation among schools with strong regional recruiting bases. In addition, BusinessWeek ranks the school as one of the country's top five business schools for the fastest return on MBA investment, and Forbes cites it as one of the best business schools in the U.S. for the return on investment it provides MBA graduates.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York. UB's more than 27,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.