Business college promotes full-time dean

James Curran has been named dean of the College of Business at the University of South Florida's Sarasota-Manatee campus, according to a statement.

Curran joined the college in 2005 as an assistant marketing professor, the statement says. He became an associate professor in 2010 and has been interim dean of the business school since Robert Anderson retired in October 2014.

“As he assumed that role, it became clear to his fellow faculty and USFSM administration that he was a leader who would position the college for even greater growth,” says Terry Osborn, vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, in the statement. Osborn appointed Curran after Anderson retired.

As dean of the College of Business, Curran, in the statement, says he will focus on building “stronger relationships with the business community in the Sarasota-Manatee area so that we can become more of a resource for them."

When he was named interim dean of the College of Business in late 2014, Curran was also named interim dean of the College of Hospitality & Tourism Leadership, the statement says. He will keep that position until the search for a full-time dean is complete.