Queens College has appointed Dr. Carmen Cotei as the inaugural Ally Bridge Dean of the School of Business, marking a significant step in the development of the college’s newest academic school. Selected through a national search, Cotei assumed the role in January 2026, and will be responsible for shaping the school’s academic vision, overseeing its programs and faculty, and guiding its strategic growth.
“I am very honored to serve as the inaugural dean of the business school,” said Cotei in a press release from December 2025. “This is a rare opportunity to help shape the school’s vision, building on its strong foundation and guiding it toward becoming a hub of innovation, collaboration, and impact. I look forward to working alongside faculty, students, alumni and industry partners to create a learning environment in which bold ideas are nurtured, diverse voices are celebrated and innovation drives meaningful change.”
The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for QC. According to the School of Business Strategic Plan, the school was formally established on January 25th, 2022 to respond to growing workforce demand for business professionals in New York City and to consolidate programs such as accounting, economics, finance, actuarial studies and international business into a unified school. As its first Dean, Cotei will play a central role in defining the school’s identity and positioning it among business programs in the region.
Cotei arrives at QC with more than two decades of experience in business education leadership. She spent much of her career at the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business, where she held numerous leadership roles including Associate Dean, Interim Dean, Department Chair, and Program Director. In these roles, she oversaw strategic planning, faculty development, accreditation processes and financial operations, while also leading curriculum innovation initiatives.
Her record suggests a strong emphasis on modernizing business education and aligning academic programs with industry trends. At Hartford, she helped launch several new programs, including a STEM-designated MBA and an undergraduate program in financial technology. These initiatives reflected a broader effort to adapt business education to emerging fields such as fintech and data-driven finance. For QC, a public institution serving a highly diverse student population, that style of forward-looking curriculum development could prove particularly valuable.
Another important aspect of Cotei’s background is her experience with accreditation and institutional development. She previously oversaw the continuous improvement and accreditation processes related to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), one of the most prestigious accrediting bodies for business schools worldwide. As QC continues building its School of Business, securing and maintaining such accreditation will be a key milestone in strengthening the program’s national reputation.
Cotei is also a widely published scholar in finance and entrepreneurship, with research covering topics such as initial public offerings, capital structure, and financing for startups. Her academic work has received several honors, including the Kauffman Foundation’s Best Paper Award for research on merger and acquisition exit strategies for U.S. startup firms. This combination of research expertise and administrative leadership is likely to shape the school’s priorities in both scholarship and industry engagement.
QC leaders say these qualities were central to her selection. The college’s administration noted that Cotei’s experience as both a scholar and an administrator will help guide the school through its early years as it builds programs, expands partnerships, and strengthens career pathways for students.
For students and faculty, her appointment signals an effort to position the School of Business as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and professional opportunity. As the inaugural dean, Cotei will not only oversee existing programs but also help define the long-term direction of the school—developing new curricula, building relationships with industry partners, and ensuring that graduates are prepared for an evolving global economy.
With its first dean now in place, QC’s School of Business enters a new phase of development. Under Cotei’s leadership, the school has the opportunity to grow into a stronger academic and professional pipeline connecting QC students with the broader business and financial ecosystem of New York City.
