Laku Chidambaram has been named dean of the Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma (OU), effective May 31, pending approval from the OU Board of Regents. Having served as interim dean since July 2024, he brings more than 20 years of leadership and experience to the role.
Chidambaram currently holds the Michael F. Price Chair in Business and serves as a Provost Faculty Fellow. Prior to stepping in as interim dean, he served as the senior associate dean for academic programs and engagement, managing Price College’s undergraduate, master’s, and executive education programs.
His tenure has been marked by significant achievements. In fall 2024, student enrollment at the college hit an all-time high of 6,311—up 10% from the previous year—doubling the growth rate from two years prior. Currently, one in every five OU students and a quarter of the incoming freshman class are business majors.
Under Chidambaram’s leadership, Price College saw a sharp rise in national rankings. The BBA program jumped 17 spots in U.S. News & World Report, now ranked 33rd among public universities. The MBA program was ranked No. 14 by Bloomberg Businessweek for return on investment, with additional national recognition for the online and executive MBA offerings.
Philanthropy also surged, with $25 million in donations and pledges secured during his interim leadership. The number of graduate programs expanded from five to twelve, featuring cross-disciplinary degrees created in collaboration with eleven other OU colleges. The undergraduate curriculum expanded by twelve new offerings—two majors, four minors, and six certificates.
This consistent 6% annual growth has translated into greater revenue, new faculty positions, and wider industry engagement. Chidambaram attributes this progress to an expanded student experience that includes experiential learning, study abroad, leadership training, and the integration of soft skills—leading to stronger job placements and higher starting salaries.
A respected scholar in computer-supported collaborative work, Chidambaram has published extensively in top MIS journals and chaired seven of the 28 dissertation committees he has served on. He established the eService Journal in 2001 and has since served in editorial positions for several academic journals. In 2019, he was named an AIS Distinguished Member Cum Laude.
Beyond academia, Chidambaram is exploring how generative AI can enhance learning and institutional performance. He shares his thoughts on these developments through a monthly LinkedIn newsletter titled AI and I.
He holds a doctoral degree from Indiana University.
André-Denis Wright, the senior vice president and provost at the University of Oklahoma, commended the appointment, noting that Dr. Chidambaram has played a pivotal role at Price College for more than 20 years. He added that during his time as interim dean, the college’s progress has significantly gained momentum.
