NYU Stern Taps Harvard’s Bharat Anand as Next Dean
NYU Stern School of Business has named Bharat N. Anand—Harvard vice provost, Harvard Business School professor, and digital strategy expert—its next dean, effective August 2025. The appointment highlights Stern’s future focus as business schools rethink AI, digital strategy, and flexible learning in the MBA experience.
Anand is best known for his work on digital strategy, platform economics, and media business models. He’s not just a scholar—he’s a builder. He led the launch of HBS Online, expanding its digital reach years before the pandemic made remote learning a necessity. At Harvard, he also led university-wide efforts on the future of learning, helped launch Axim—a nonprofit focused on educational access—and chaired the Generative AI Working Group for Teaching and Learning.
This is a significant win for NYU Stern. Anand brings a rare combination of academic depth, institutional leadership, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Business schools increasingly prioritize these qualities as they adapt their MBA programs to a changing landscape.
In his statement, Anand praised Stern’s entrepreneurial spirit and global outlook, saying he was “honored” to lead a school that’s “determined, energetic, resourceful, and global.”
From an MBA admissions perspective, this could signal increased investment in digital learning models, cross-disciplinary opportunities, and AI-driven curriculum shifts at Stern. These strategic moves will matter to applicants evaluating which programs are indeed preparing students for the future of business.
One thing’s clear: with Anand at the helm, Stern is placing a big bet on innovation.
Don’t miss: Get the Scoop on the NYU Stern MBA Admissions Process
