Naughton Leaves Big Shoes to Fill

When Gail Naughton steps down as dean of San Diego State University’s College of Business Administration in the spring, she will be leaving lofty expectations for her successor.

Naughton, who has served as dean of the nationally ranked college since 2002, announced her plans to resign at the end of the spring semester in order to focus on her work as CEO and chairman of the Board of Histogen Inc., which she founded in 2007.   

Search for a new dean underway

The search for a new dean has already begun and applications are being accepted through Jan. 7, 2011. Nominations are also welcome. Finalists will come to campus to interview during the spring.

During her tenure, Naughton has overseen an increase in philanthropic support for the college, including:

• $3 million to the Entrepreneurial Management Center
• $1.5 million to establish The Corky McMillin Center for Real Estate
• $10 million from the estate of Charles Lamden to name the SDSU School of Accountancy

“The College of Business Administration at SDSU continues to grow in stature,” Naughton said. “I am proud of what the College has accomplished and we will continue to build upon our success and look for new ways to provide students and faculty with the resources they need to be best prepared for the future.”

Naughton's accomplishments

Among Naughton’s accomplishments during her tenure are an increase in alumni support and a transformation of the college’s advisory board, which includes a number of corporate-level executives from major local businesses including:

• Qualcomm
• San Diego Gas & Electric
• Jack in the Box
• Sempra Energy
• Costco
• Kyocera International

“Gail has elevated SDSU’s College of Business Administration during her tenure and the college is stronger, more prominent and more highly respected nationally than it’s ever been,” said SDSU Provost Nancy Marlin.  

The College of Business Administration boasts a number of SDSU’s highest nationally ranked programs, including international business and entrepreneurship. SDSU’s undergraduate business program also ranks among the nations best according to U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” and the Princeton Review.

Naughton spearheaded a number of unique MBA programs in partnership with industry, including the nation’s first sports MBA program, which is focused entirely on the international sports business. This unique program partners with the San Diego Padres to provide experiential learning opportunities, in San Diego and at the Padres’ developmental facility in the Dominican Republic.

SDSU’s Entrepreneurial Management Center has emerged as a national leader. SDSU was ranked No. 27 in entrepreneurship according to U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Graduate Schools 2008." SDSU's undergraduate entrepreneur program has also been listed on Fortune Magazine's top 25 list of "America's Best Colleges for Entrepreneurs.”

Plans for the future include SDSU

In addition to her role as CEO of Histogen Inc., Naughton will also continue her involvement with SDSU by teaching a graduate-level entrepreneur course next fall.

An accomplished scientist-entrepreneur, Naughton earned her Ph.D. in basic medical sciences and her master's degree in histology from the New York University Medical Center. She earned an executive MBA in 2001 from the Anderson School at the University of California Los Angeles.

For more information on the search, please contact San Diego State University’s Office of the Provost at 619-594-6881.