McDaniel College names inaugural dean of new School of Business and Technology

McDaniel College has named Leonard Arvi, Ph.D., as the inaugural dean of the new School of Business and Technology following a national search. He plans to join McDaniel for the fall 2026 semester, effective Aug. 1.

McDaniel’s first comprehensive school, the School of Business and Technology is set to open in fall 2027 and will house the college’s existing programs in Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Science, Economics, Entrepreneurship, International Business, Marketing, and Management. 

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Arvi join McDaniel,” President Julia Jasken said. “He will play an instrumental role in moving forward with plans to develop the new school, including building and executing a clear vision and establishing relationships that will shape the school’s strategic direction.” 

Arvi comes to McDaniel from Salisbury University, where he has taught since 2008 as a Finance professor and most recently served as department chairperson of Finance for the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business. He helped to develop the Judkins Family Financial Research Center and is a member of the board for the Shore Hatchery competition, which is held twice a year for Mid-Atlantic business startups. In 2024, he is a member of the AI Task Force consortium between Salisbury University, the University of Baltimore, and Frostburg State University.

A serial entrepreneur, Arvi’s expertise includes real estate finance and investments. He is also an advocate for financial literacy, creating a partnership through the Maryland Council on Economic Education with Salisbury University for public school students from the Delmarva Peninsula. He has served on the board for Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore Wicomico county and as a financial literacy trainer with the ProjectREAD adult literacy program. In addition, he has advised the Mayor of Salisbury on economic development, served on the City of Salisbury Sustainability Committee, and is currently a member of the Greater Salisbury Committee’s Blue-Ribbon panel. 

In 2014, Arvi was the recipient of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents' Faculty Excellence Award for Mentoring. He was recognized with the Salisbury University Alumni Association Faculty Appreciation Award in 2020 and was nominated in 2025 for the University System of Maryland Regents' Faculty Award for Excellence in Public Service.

Arvi holds both a master’s degree and doctorate in Finance from Florida International University, where he taught as an adjunct instructor. He is also a graduate of the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand with a master’s degree in Computer Science and previously worked as a software engineering analyst and IT strategist at the Stock Exchange of Thailand. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from St. Joseph’s College in India. 

Arvi said, “I am honored to have this opportunity to develop a school that builds on McDaniel’s strong tradition of academic excellence and student-centered learning. I’m eager to help shape a clear vision for the school that will not only prepare graduates for successful careers but also contributes to the economic growth and innovation in the region.”