Corey Phelps, dean of the OU Price College of Business, will step down to become the dean of the Smeal College of Business at Penn State University, leaving five interim or acting deans out of 16 at OU.
Phelps has served as dean of Price College since 2020, according to an OU press release. His term at OU will end on July 12.
“While we are delighted for him and this tremendous opportunity, we will deeply miss him at OU,” OU Senior Vice President and Provost André-Denis Wright wrote in the release.
According to the release, Laku Chidambaram will serve as interim dean of Price College beginning July 13, pending final approval by the OU Board of Regents. He will remain in the position while the dean search is underway.
Chidambaram currently serves as the senior associate dean for academic programs and engagement and holds the Michael F. Price chair in business. In his position, he oversees the master’s, executive and undergraduate programs in Price College.
According to the release, Phelps led Price College to become the second largest and fastest growing college on the Norman campus in terms of enrollment, credit hour production and online revenue generation.
Phelps also led the creation of Price College’s Bigger, Broader, Better Strategic Plan, oversaw a marketing campaign and helped raise over $107 million in a fundraising campaign for the college.
In April, OU had six open dean positions, the most among its current Big 12 Conference and future SEC peers.
For the SEC, the median was 1.5 open dean positions, with Texas A&M University having five open positions.
OU has five open dean positions in the Honors College; the David L. Boren College of International Studies; the College of Professional and Continuing Studies; the College of Arts and Sciences; and now the Price College of Business.
“Please join me in thanking Dean Phelps for his significant contributions to OU and wishing him well in his next professional role, and in congratulating Dr. Chidambaram on his new appointment,” Wright said in the release.
This story was edited by Ana Barboza and Taylor Jones. Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.
