New Deans Elevate Pace University’s Standing in Business and Health
Higher education is in a moment of profound transformation. Universities must prepare students not only for today’s workforce but for industries that are evolving at top speed. Pace University has long embraced that challenge—linking academics with professional preparation, building programs that anticipate the future of work, and investing in leaders who can push higher education forward.
That vision is advancing with the recent appointments of Ajay Khorana, PhD, as dean of the Lubin School of Business, and Brian Goldstein, PhD, as dean of the College of Health Professions. Both leaders bring deep expertise and fresh perspectives, strengthening Pace’s ability to connect academic excellence with real-world outcomes.
“We are delighted to welcome two deans who embody excellence in every sense—distinguished scholarship, visionary leadership, and the ability to connect academic rigor with professional outcomes,” said University President Marvin Krislov. “The appointments of Dr. Khorana and Dr. Goldstein reflect Pace’s continued investment in quality and achievement at the highest level.”
That vision is advancing with the recent appointments of Ajay Khorana, PhD, as dean of the Lubin School of Business, and Brian Goldstein, PhD, as dean of the College of Health Professions. Both leaders bring deep expertise and fresh perspectives, strengthening Pace’s ability to connect academic excellence with real-world outcomes.
“We are delighted to welcome two deans who embody excellence in every sense—distinguished scholarship, visionary leadership, and the ability to connect academic rigor with professional outcomes,” said University President Marvin Krislov. “The appointments of Dr. Khorana and Dr. Goldstein reflect Pace’s continued investment in quality and achievement at the highest level.”
Connecting Classrooms to Careers
At Pace, academics and industry are inseparable. Business students attend classes steps from Wall Street, where they gain not only theoretical knowledge but also access to internships and partnerships with some of the world’s most influential firms. The recent “Pace of Fintech” conference, hosted alongside Goldman Sachs and Sixth Street, is one example of how Lubin turns its location and network into opportunities for students.
Dean Khorana exemplifies that approach. Prior to joining Pace, he served as global treasurer for Citigroup’s U.S. Personal Banking and Global Wealth businesses, overseeing strategic financial planning, risk management, and capital allocation for a $400 billion balance sheet. Over nearly two decades at Citi, he also led the Financial Strategy Group, advising Fortune 500 companies on mergers and acquisitions, capital structure, and corporate governance. Earlier in his career, as a faculty member at Georgia Tech and the University of Virginia, he earned recognition for both his research and his teaching.
“Pace is uniquely positioned—steps from Wall Street, fueled by expert faculty, and deeply connected to the business world. Having led strategic finance at a global scale, I understand what today’s employers demand and how to shape an education that delivers,” said Dean Khorana. “There’s no better place to connect business education with the center of the financial world.”
Lubin holds an elite distinction: dual AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting, earned by fewer than 2 percent of business schools worldwide. Its programs consistently rank among the nation’s best—from a top-ten placement in LinkedIn’s Top MBAs for job placement and gender diversity to being the first U.S. business school granted ACCA certification exemptions. Lubin’s Doctor of Professional Studies program also ranks among the world’s top ten executive doctoral programs, including first in the United States for its focus on corporate social responsibility.
With Khorana’s blend of industry insight and academic leadership, Lubin is positioned to extend this record of excellence and prepare students for the next era of global business.
Leading in Health Professions
The College of Health Professions (CHP) is another cornerstone of Pace’s strategy: a nationally recognized provider of health education. Its programs are consistently ranked among the best in the nation, including being named among the top 3 percent of nursing bachelor’s degree programs by College Factual. Meanwhile, U.S. News & World Report ranks nurse practitioner as the #1 healthcare job in America, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 52 percent job growth between 2020 and 2030—fields where CHP is already a leader.
Dean Goldstein joins CHP with a track record of innovation. As president and chief academic officer at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, he led academic and operational strategies across five campuses serving more than 4,000 graduate students. His leadership drove enrollment growth, expanded hybrid and online programs, built new clinical partnerships, and strengthened both student satisfaction and faculty retention. Earlier roles at La Salle University and Temple University further deepened his expertise in academic leadership, curriculum development, and health sciences.
“Health care is evolving rapidly—and so is health education. At Pace, we’re training students to lead, to innovate, and to serve. I’m excited to build on this strong foundation and help the College of Health Professions shape the future of care,” said Dean Goldstein.
CHP produces graduates who step directly into high-demand careers. Under Dean Goldstein’s leadership, the college is poised to lead in Pace’s broader transformation—expanding its national reach, forging new clinical partnerships, and shaping the future of health sciences education while elevating the student experience.
A Bold Academic Future
Together, Khorana’s and Goldstein’s appointments are about more than leadership transitions. They represent the momentum of an institution committed to building programs that anticipate industry needs, investing in research and innovation, and cultivating leaders who can turn academic excellence into impact.
Since 1906, Pace University has transformed students’ lives through education that connects learning with opportunity. Today, with campuses in New York City and Westchester, Pace continues that mission with more than thirteen thousand students across seven schools and colleges. The addition of these two visionary deans underscores Pace’s next chapter—one where academic strength, professional preparation, and bold leadership intersect to shape the future of education.
This content was paid for and created by Pace University. The editorial staff of The Chronicle had no role in its preparation. Find out more about paid content.
Built with Shorthand