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www.desitalkchicago.com – that’s all you need to know 15 NATIONAL AFFAIRS May 24, 2024 UMass Dartmouth Appoints Madan Annavarjula As Dean Of Charlton College Of Business T he Provost of UMass Dartmouth Ramprasad Balasubramanian recently announced that Madan Annavarjula will become the next Dean of the Charlton College of Business on September 1. The Univer- sity posted the news on May 13 on its website. Annavarjula has been the Dean of the College of Business and Professor of In- ternational Business at Bryant University where he was incharge of strategic plan- ning, curriculum development, faculty management, and day-to-day adminis- tration of the College of Business. During his tenure at Bryant, Anna- varjula worked with faculty and alumni to launch several undergraduate and gradu- ate programs including Data Science, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, Leadership and Innovation and Project Management, the UMass Dartmouth news report said. He is credited with lead- ing Bryant to national and international prominence, including helping the Inter- national Business major to rank #17 in the U.S. and be among the top programs in the U.S. in 2023, the report said quoting the U.S. News andWorld Report. In the fall of 2018, he led a team to launch a new graduate-level online MBA program, currently ranked in the top 15% of the nation according to the 2024 U.S. News andWorld Report. “In our ongoing commitment to excel- lence, I am pleased to add another world- class Dean to the campus leadership. Dr. Madan Annavarjula brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and vision to this role, making him an exceptional choice to guide our Charlton College of Business into the future,” said Provost Balasub- ramanian is quoted saying in the news release. “Dr. Annavarjula is passionate about fostering entrepreneurship, inte- grating emerging technologies into the curriculum, expanding global partner- ships, and building cutting-edge interdis- ciplinary programs. We are confident that under Madan’s leadership, the Charlton College of Business will continue to thrive and provide our students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the ever-changing professional world of business.” “UMass Dartmouth is a treasure trove of opportunities in terms of interdisciplin- ary programs, cutting edge research and innovative curriculum. Charlton College is positioned very well to leverage these opportunities to benefit our students and community. I am excited at the opportuni- ty to lead the Charlton College of Business and to participate in fostering experiential learning opportunities, growing market driven academic programs and build excellent outcomes for our students,” said Annavarjula. A recipient of the Excellence in Teach- ing Award at Bryant in 2010, the Outstand- ing Service Award in 2011, the Bryant Alumni Award for Excellence in 2013, Annavarjula also received the Outstanding International Educator of the Year Award presented by North American Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE) in 2018. His current research interests include technology strategies of multinational corporations and pedagogical issues in International Business education, and he has been published in several scholarly journals, and has presented his work at national and international conferences. Annavarjula earned his PhD in Interna- tional Business at the Fox School of Busi- ness, Temple University. By a StaffWriter Madan Annavarjula Photo:umassd.edu S outh Asian Youth Action (SAYA. org) celebrated its 28th anniver- sary at its annual gala on May 18, 2024, marking nearly three decades of connecting underserved NewYork City youth to opportunities and championing solutions that foster educational equity. The event, held at Tribeca 360° in New York City, brought together close to 400 guests for an evening of philanthropy, inspiration, and celebration, organizers said in a press release. SAYA’s annual gala recognizes the significance, contribution, and achieve- ments of those community members who leverage their privilege and plat- form toward positive societal change. This year, three outstanding individuals who embody these principles—Sonny Kalsi, co-CEO of BentallGreenOak; Priya Parker, acclaimed author; and Anand Giridharadas, esteemed writer, were honored. Guests were treated to a performance by the celebrated musician Ali Sethi. The evening was hosted by actress/ author and SAYA board member Sheetal Sheth. The highlight of the evening was the stories shared by SAYA youth, which showcased the organization’s impact on the lives of young people throughout NewYork City. “Thanks to the altruism of attend- ees and supporters, the gala raised over $750,000, which will directly benefit SAYA’s programs and initiatives—aimed at empowering youth and fostering their academic, social, and personal develop- ment,” organizers noted. “I am deeply grateful for the incred- ible dedication of everyone who joined us to celebrate SAYA’s legacy. The powerful stories shared by our youth highlight our history and the far-reaching impact of our programming,” Executive Director of SAYA Sonia B. Sisodia, is quoted saying in the press release. “The generosity of our supporters, along with the incredible $1 million gift fromMackenzie Scott SAYA received ear- lier this year, will advance SAYA’s impor- tant work in a profound and transforma- tive way. Together we are creating a lasting impact in our communities,” said SAYA Board Chair Samidh Guha. By a StaffWriter South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) Celebrates 28 Years Of Impact Photos:CourtesySAYA This year, three outstanding individuals were recognized at the SAYA gala for their contributions, Sonny Kalsi, co-CEO of BentallGreenOak, left; Priya Parker, acclaimed author; center, and Anand Giridharadas, author, right. Some 400 people attended the SAYA gala May 18, 2024. Seen here is a section of the audience. Performance by Ali Sethi at the SAYA gala, May 18, 2024. Some of the attendees enjoying the SAYA gala May 18, 2024.