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Dean Helou sets brand name goal

Reading, tennis and basketball are among the hobbies of the new dean of the College of Business and Public Management, Ibrahim Helou. Helou, who began his career at ULV in 1993 as assistant professor of business, also holds the title of professor of finance. / photo by Walter Mansilla
Reading, tennis and basketball are among the hobbies of the new dean of the College of Business and Public Management, Ibrahim Helou. Helou, who began his career at ULV in 1993 as assistant professor of business, also holds the title of professor of finance. / photo by Walter Mansilla

Susan Acker
Managing Editor

Basking in the lauded praise of his faculty, Ibrahim Helou began his new appointment as University of La Verne School of Business and Public Management dean July 1.

“He is the best thing that has ever happened to ULV,” said Rita Thakur, associate dean of the school of business and public management.

Alden Reimonenq, provost and vice president of academic affairs, made the announcement during the faculty and staff recognition day in May.

Gordon Badovick, the former dean, retired at the end of the 2007-2008 school year.

“We are a unit of the University, and it is my intention to open the door to all units of the Univer­sity to work together to promote what La Verne stands for,” Helou said.

Helou said his plans for the 2008-2009 school year include developing a “mentoring program for skills and success from outside business people.”

He plans to place each student in the business program with a mentor such as a CEO or company owner from the business world.

“The college has a strategic plan to carry out,” Helou said.

His plans also include a focus in the strength of academics, outcome assessments and outreach activities in connection with local businesses.

“I want to create a brand name for the college,” Helou said.

Prior to his new position, Helou was an associate dean. He began working for ULV in 1993 as an associate professor. In 1998, he was appointed chair of undergrad business. In 1999 he became chair of the graduate business program, and in 2003 he was appointed associate dean.

“I think our culture is our biggest asset,” Helou said. “We have a very collegial culture.”

He said the environment at ULV is family oriented and that there is a sense of helping one another, especially in the college of business and public management.

“I think he will be one of the best deans in the history of the school of business, in the history of the school,” Ahmed Ispahani, professor of business administration and economics, said.

Ispahani said Helou is responsible for increasing enrollment in the graduate program.

“I had no question that he would be the best candidate,” Ispahani said.

“He has an outgoing, engaging and likeable personality.”

“As far as integrity, he is of the highest caliber,” Ispahani said. Ispahani said that Helou is “student-oriented.”

“I was pleased when the search committee selected Helou,” Stephen Morgan, ULV president, said.

“He has proven in the past to be a problem-solver,” Morgan said, adding, “Abe is a very hard-working can-do administrator. He always rises to the occasion.”

Morgan said Helou has created a “niche” for the college of business in Southern California, and that he will continue to “develop uniqueness.”

Issam Ghazzawi, associate professor of management, said Helou has a good vision for the College.

Thakur said Helou wants to create an “identity” for the College.

“When we looked at all of the candidates, we realized that we needed a hands-on dean,” Thakur said. “He is willing to roll up his sleeves.”

Thakur said an example of his willingness to help occurred the first week of classes when she did not have time to notify students of a class cancellation.

She said Helou stepped in for her and took care of the problem.

“This is the kind of person he is,” Thakur said. “We are very, very fortunate, I hope he will stay here for the rest of his career.”

Susan Acker can be reached at susan.acker@laverne.edu.

Susan Acker, Managing Editor
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