Dean’s Office

Welcome to The Business School at Worcester Polytechnic Institute!

More than 70 years ago, we conferred our first degrees in Management because we recognized the power of business and technology. Today, we are here because that integration is more important than ever. At The Business School we develop technically minded students into adaptive leaders who use business acumen and technology to innovate, creating sustainable solutions that deliver globally responsible impact. Allow me to expound.

We develop technically minded students. WPI is a world-leading global polytechnic. Our students are emerging technologists and scientists preparing to change the world. Through the application of business, we give technological know-how focus and direction. Leveraging theory and practice, our students are prepared to apply their learning with laser-like precision.

We train adaptive leaders who use business acumen and technology to innovate. Leaders motivate people to adaptively learn to make progress on confronting challenges. The business acumen that our students gain transforms them into leaders with an expansive, adaptive capacity to understand complex environments, then harness technology to be catalysts for change.

We create sustainable solutions that deliver globally responsible impact. At The Business School, we recognize business as an engine for social good and a mechanism to make a difference in the world. Through project-based experiential learning, our students create equitable, just, regenerative solutions needed to serve communities, economies, and industries, while sustainably restoring our environment.

This is what we deliver at The Business School, and we invite you to learn more about us. Our distinctive programs, world-class faculty, leading-edge research, and the best and brightest students offer a compelling combination that you will not find elsewhere.

Want to be a difference maker? Join us.

-Rev. Debora Jackson, DMin, Dean and Professor of Practice, The Business School at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Diane Strong

Professor & Department Head, The Business School

Email: dstrong@wpi.edu

Phone: +1 (508) 8315573

WPI provides an environment that values both teaching and research, which is ideal for me. I enjoy teaching at WPI because students are interested in learning and willing to work hard. My teaching focuses on how business, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations can best use computing technologies, such as database systems, electronic health records systems, and mobile apps. Students in my classes learn to design computing applications that meet the needs of organizations. Students understand the value of learning these topics, and as a result, they work hard to learn the principles and how to ...

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Sandhya Balasubramanian

Assistant Dean, Business Programs, The Business School

Email: sbalasubramanian@wpi.edu

Phone: +1 (508) 8315957

As Assistant Dean of Business Programs, Sandhya spearheads efforts aimed at strengthening all aspects of the WPI Business School Student life cycle including strategic recruitment, retention, program development, partnerships, student engagement and career development. Sandhya leads the WBS Programs Team that advises students on curricular selection and academic progression. The Programs team develops long-term advising relationships with students and counsel’s learners on academic, administrative, professional, and disciplinary issues. Furthermore, the Programs team provides instructional ...

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Micah Chase

Adjunct Instructor/Lecturer, The Business School

Email: mchase3@wpi.edu

Micah Chase has been a founder and CEO for over 25 years successfully growing several startups into multi-million dollar companies. Experience in all phases of an enterprise, B2B, B2C, managing P&L, setting strategic direction, change management, product development, multichannel marketing, business development, contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, and M&A. • Checkerboard Ltd (1992-2017) is a leader in the design and manufacturing of fine social stationery. As CEO, Chase selected the strategic direction to navigate a mature industry resulting in consistent double-digit year ...

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Laurie Stokes

Associate Director, Business Programs, The Business School

Email: lmstokes@wpi.edu

Phone: +1 (508) 8314887

Laurie is the primary contact for all things relating to WBS undergraduate programs, policies and procedures. Laurie also directs WBS open houses and other programming for current and prospective undergraduate business students. Office: Washburn 206

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Thomas Clark

Associate Director, Outreach and Program Operations, The Business School

Email: tclark@wpi.edu

Phone: +1 (508) 8314979

Tom manages outreach to potential incoming students, current students, alumni, corporate partners and organizations. He also manages academic and social events hosted by WBS. In addition to these roles he works to optimize processes to improve the administrative experience of students, faculty, and staff.

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Lorelle Tross

Administrative Assistant, The Business School

Email: kwamina@wpi.edu

Phone: +1 (508) 8314974

Lorelle is the WBS receptionist in the main office, WB215. In addition to being the initial point of contact for most non-admissions related WBS inquiries and visitors, Lorelle handles payroll for WBS student employees; reserves rooms and orders food for WBS programs-related meetings; and orders books and supplies for WBS faculty and staff. Office: Washburn 215

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A Message from the Dean

Meet the Dean

Dean Debora Jackson Featured on the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Chamber Exchange Show

Leadership Team

Staff