Appointment of Interim Dean for the Tepper School of Business

June 16, 2026

Dear Tepper School students, faculty and staff:

I write to provide an update on the global search for the next dean of the Tepper School of Business. As we have not concluded the search, I have decided to pause the process over the summer months and resume our efforts with additional candidates this fall.

As Dean Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou prepares to step down from her role and return to the faculty full-time, our priority is to ensure a seamless transition for the Tepper School. To provide such a transition, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Laurence Ales has agreed to serve as interim dean, effective July 1, 2026.

Dr. Ales is uniquely suited to step into this role. A dedicated member of our community, he currently serves as professor of economics and senior associate dean for education at the Tepper School and has been actively involved in shaping the school’s future as co-chair of the search committee. His deep familiarity with Tepper’s strategic priorities, academic programs, and the school’s 2024–2030 Strategic Plan, “Building the Intelligent Future,” will provide steady and strategic leadership during this interim period.

Please join me in expressing our sincere gratitude to Laurence for his willingness to serve the university in this interim capacity. I also want to thank the entire Tepper School community for its continued collaboration and dedication during this period of transition as we build on the strong foundation laid by Dean Bajeux-Besnainou and carry that momentum into the Tepper School’s next chapter of innovation and excellence.

Sincerely,

James H. Garrett Jr.
Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Carnegie Mellon University