UC Davis Business School Dean H. Rao Unnava Named Poets&Quants' 2024 Dean of the Year

H. Rao Unnava, dean of the University of California, Davis Graduate School of Management, has been named Poets&Quants' Dean of the Year for 2024, recognizing his significant contributions to business education and leadership. This prestigious accolade places Unnava among an elite group of academic leaders who have previously been honored, including deans from Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Yale School of Management.

Unnava, a 65-year-old marketing professor, assumed the role of dean at UC Davis in June 2016 after a distinguished 32-year career at The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business. His selection for this honor is attributed to his ambitious change agenda and decisive yet unassuming leadership style, which has driven substantial innovation within the Graduate School of Management.

Under Unnava's guidance, UC Davis has pioneered several groundbreaking initiatives in business education. The school became the first in the University of California system to launch an online MBA program and a Master's in Management. It also introduced credit-bearing stackable credentials applicable toward degree programs, made all online content freely available to alumni, and implemented a deferred tuition plan for online MBA candidates.

Perhaps most notably, Unnava successfully established an undergraduate business major at UC Davis, a feat previously deemed impossible, by collaborating with two other colleges within the university. This achievement underscores his ability to navigate complex institutional structures and foster interdisciplinary partnerships.

The impact of Unnava's leadership is evident in the school's enrollment figures, with nearly 70% of this year's 441 incoming graduate students participating in programs created during his tenure. This statistic not only reflects the appeal of the new initiatives but also demonstrates Unnava's responsiveness to evolving educational needs and market demands.

John A. Byrne, editor-in-chief at Poets&Quants, praised Unnava's transformative impact, stating, "Since becoming dean of UC Davis Graduate School of Management in June of 2026, H. Rao Unnava has led a revolution in innovation." This revolution encompasses new partnerships, degree programs, and educational models that position UC Davis at the forefront of business education innovation.

Unnava's approach to leadership is characterized by a focus on institutional advancement rather than personal gain. He emphasized the challenges of navigating bureaucracy and the importance of prioritizing the institution's interests, stating, "The hardest thing is moving things forward through a bureaucracy, and the easiest thing is whatever you do, you do it for the institution and not for yourself."

This recognition of Unnava's leadership comes at a time when business schools are facing increasing pressure to adapt to changing economic landscapes, technological advancements, and evolving student expectations. His success in implementing innovative programs and partnerships serves as a model for other institutions seeking to remain relevant and competitive in the dynamic field of business education.

The implications of Unnava's achievements extend beyond UC Davis, potentially influencing the broader landscape of business education. His initiatives, particularly in online education, stackable credentials, and interdisciplinary collaboration, address key trends in higher education and may inspire similar innovations at other institutions.

As business schools continue to grapple with the challenges of preparing students for a rapidly changing global economy, leaders like Unnava demonstrate the potential for transformative change through visionary leadership and a willingness to challenge established norms. The recognition of his efforts by Poets&Quants underscores the importance of innovation and adaptability in shaping the future of business education.