The University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics will implement a strategic academic department reorganization beginning July 1, 2026, designed to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, support emerging areas of business education and create new opportunities for students and faculty.

Approved unanimously by the UD Board of Trustees on May 11, the reorganization transitions Lerner from five academic departments to six and formally establishes the Neil Book School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

The changes are the result of a faculty-driven strategic planning process and align with the college’s strategic plan, supporting its three frontiers: AI transformation and technology, innovation and societal change, and leadership and organizations.

“This reorganization positions Lerner to better address the future of business and economic education and research,” said Oliver Yao, dean of the Lerner College. “By strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration while reinforcing excellence in established disciplines, we are creating new opportunities for students, faculty and industry partners.”

An outcome of the restructuring is the creation of the Department of Business Analytics, Operations and Information Technology, which brings together expertise in artificial intelligence, data analytics, operations management, management information systems and business technology.

Lerner’s academic units will include the departments of accounting; economics; finance; hospitality and sport business management; marketing, management and global business; business analytics, operations and information technology; and the Neil Book School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

For further information, please visit: https://lerner.udel.edu/seeing-opportunity/lerner-reorganizes-departments-launches-new-school/