Iowa State University did not have to look far to find its next business college dean.

The university today announced that Raj Agnihotri, currently an assistant dean in the Ivy College of Business, will lead the college beginning July 1. Agnihotri will succeed David Spalding, who is retiring.

Agnihotri “is an accomplished researcher and student-centric leader,” ISU president Wendy Wintersteen, said in a prepared statement. “He has the experience and vision to advance business education and strengthen our entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem to benefit Iowa’s economy.”

Agnihotri earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Pune in India; a master’s of business administration in management from Oklahoma City University; and a doctorate in marketing from Kent State University.

Agnihotri, who came to ISU in 2018, is the founding director of the Ivy Sales Forum. He was promoted to assistant dean for industry engagement in May 2024. Agnihotri has received numerous awards for his teaching and research, and is co-author of “ABCs of Relationship Selling,” a textbook used in sales classes around the world.

He previously worked at the University of Texas-Arlington and Ohio University.

“It is a profound honor to be selected as the next Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Ivy College,” Agnihotri said in a prepared statement. “I am committed to serving our students, providing an excellent education that prepares them for professional success, and upholding the college’s tradition of excellence in research. I look forward to collaborating with the faculty, staff, students, partners, and alumni to reach new heights.”