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Anthony Preston appointed Assistant Dean for Graduate Business Programs

July 6, 2020

Anthony Preston enjoys a rich history with NIU, the college and the NIU Business graduate business programs.

Immediately after earning his Fast-Trak MBA (formerly a dual-degree international MBA format which has since evolved and expanded) from NIU Business, Anthony served as Assistant to the Dean and was charged with helping college leadership expand the reach of the college’s global MBA program. Anthony’s contribution to this work proved to be key to the successful creation of meaningful relationships with 30 universities in 15 countries. Some of the most recent and notable global activities include last year’s launch of the EMBA program in Nanjing, China as well as the soon-to-be launch of the fifth cohort of the MBA program in Bogota, Columbia, among many others.

While Anthony helped engage a wide range of graduate students both here and abroad, he also continued his own academic pursuits. For the past few years, he has worked toward the completion of a Ph.D. degree out of NIU’s International Relations program and will soon defend his dissertation. At the same time, and with the retirement of previous MBA program leadership, he took on additional professional responsibilities by serving as interim head of the MBA program. Anthony’s leadership once again made an impact, this time in nine short months. Under his direction, the outstanding MBA staff streamlined their processes becoming more disciplined and more data driven. Other initiatives he championed include the creation of high-touch, high-impact events, such as “Shadowing,” “Dinner with an alum Ambassador” and “Dinner with the Dean.” All these activities made a substantial impact.

Anthony’s bright intelligence and good nature know no geographic boundaries. He enjoys a well-deserved high level of regard from members of the college and the university, as well as students and members of academic institutions from a variety of countries around the world.