A Letter From Dean Bajeux-Besnainou

As you may know, this is my last year as your Dean of the Tepper School of Business. As I reflect on my time in this role, I am deeply grateful for the extraordinary people and shared purpose that define our community. Together, we have built a school that continues to lead through innovation, collaboration, and impact.

Our teaching and research remain grounded in preparing every student to thrive in a dynamic and ever-changing business landscape. The Collaborative AI Signature Initiative has introduced new interactive learning tools that are transforming our classrooms, while our degree programs continue to earn strong national recognition for their rigor and relevance.

This past year, I had the privilege of participating in the 75th Anniversary Academic Symposium, in particular, sharing the stage with Harvard Business School’s Dean Srikant Datar and INSEAD’s Dean Francisco Veloso, who started their careers as CMU faculty members, and Chicago Booth’s Dean Madhav Rajan, a three-time graduate of the university. That gathering of global academic leaders reminded me of the tremendous reach and influence of Tepper alumni, as entrepreneurs, innovators, academics, and industry leaders, who carry forward the values of this school.

As I enter this final chapter of my deanship, I am reminded that it is the people, our faculty, students, alumni, and staff, who make the Tepper School really exceptional. David Tepper’s name has graced our school for 21 years, and it is the collective energy and commitment of our community that sustains its strength and spirit.

It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve as your dean. Each day, I have been inspired by our brilliant faculty, our dedicated staff, and our remarkable students. I am equally proud of our alumni, whose engagement—whether through mentorship, partnership, or philanthropy—ensures that the Tepper School continues to evolve and excel.

As we look ahead, I am confident that the spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and excellence that defines us will continue to guide the Tepper School boldly into the Intelligent Future℠.

With gratitude,
Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou