McDaniel College has named Leonard Arvi, Ph.D., as the inaugural dean of its new School of Business and Technology following a national search. Arvi will officially join the college on Aug. 1 ahead of the school’s planned launch in fall 2027. As McDaniel’s first comprehensive school, the School of Business and Technology will bring together programs in accounting, business administration, computer science, economics, entrepreneurship, international business, marketing, and management under one academic division.
Arvi brings nearly two decades of higher education leadership and teaching experience, currently serving as chair of the finance department at Salisbury University’s Franklin P. Perdue School of Business, where he has also taught finance since 2008. During his tenure, he helped establish the Judkins Family Financial Research Center and became actively involved in entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives, including serving on the board of the Shore Hatchery startup competition for Mid-Atlantic entrepreneurs. In 2024, he also participated in a regional artificial intelligence consortium involving Salisbury University, the University of Baltimore, and Frostburg State University.
In addition to his academic leadership, Arvi is a serial entrepreneur with expertise in finance, real estate investments, artificial intelligence, and information technology. His professional background includes work as a software engineering analyst and IT strategist at the Stock Exchange of Thailand. He has also remained deeply involved in community and financial literacy initiatives throughout the Delmarva region, partnering with organizations such as the Maryland Council on Economic Education, Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore, and ProjectREAD to support educational outreach and economic development.
Arvi’s contributions to teaching, mentoring, and public service have earned him numerous honors, including the University System of Maryland Board of Regents Faculty Excellence Award for Mentoring and the Salisbury University Alumni Association Faculty Appreciation Award. He holds advanced degrees in finance from Florida International University, a master’s degree in computer science from the Asian Institute of Technology, and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from St. Joseph’s College.
“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,” Arvi said. “I’m eager to help shape a clear vision for the school that will prepare graduates for successful careers and contribute to the economic growth and innovation in the region.”
