Meet Carmen Cotei, the woman who was recently appointed Queens College’s first-ever Ally Bridge Dean of the School of Business. She is tasked with shaping the future of a school designed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy.
With a background that spans industry, research, and academic leadership, Cotei steps into the role with an ambitious vision to expand experiential learning, strengthen ties to New York City’s business community, and position the School of Business as a launchpad for student success.
“Dean Cotei brings to the college superb business education credentials alongside a highly regarded faculty and a successful alumni network,” said Queens College President Frank H. Wu. “This great combination ensures students are receiving invaluable benefits from a Queens College business degree, both through undergraduate and graduate studies, and at an affordable cost.”
The perspective Cotei brings to Queens College was shaped by a journey that began in a small mountain town in Romania, where she earned her bachelor’s degree at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies. After beginning her career as head of finance for a global telecommunications company, she chose to pursue a new challenge—moving to the United States to earn a PhD in finance at the University of New Orleans.
Originally envisioning a career in investment banking or at the Federal Reserve, Cotei instead discovered a passion for teaching. That shift led her to the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business in 2004, where she spent two decades building a career that combined scholarship, leadership, and institutional growth.
She rose from assistant professor to full professor while taking on key leadership roles, including program director, department chair, interim dean, and associate dean. Along the way, she guided strategic planning, supported faculty development, and shaped the direction of Hartford’s business school.
Her research has evolved alongside her career—from early work on corporate finance and initial public offerings to more recent focus on entrepreneurship; small-business financing; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues; and impact investing.
But despite a long and successful run at the University of Hartford, the opportunity to build something new drew her to Queens College. After a nationwide search, Queens College chose Cotei as the inaugural Ally Bridge Dean.
“A friend of mine saw the ad for the position, and she nominated me. And reading the leadership profile, it was clear to me that I was a very good fit for Queens College,” explained Cotei. “I like their mission. I like the fact that it’s a very diverse school, located in a very diverse place—the most diverse place in the world, actually—and it was clear to me that I had the exact skills and qualities not only required but also preferred by Queens College.”
As dean, Cotei has an ambitious vision for the future of the Queens College School of Business.
Source: LI Press
