Meet the New Dean of Michigan Tech’s College of Business

Building bridges to student success, industry impact and enduring alumni engagement. Strengthening joint programs and collaborative research across campus. Leveling up as a campus partner in innovation and commercialization. Michigan Technological University's newest academic leader, College of Business Dean Sri Beldona, shares his priorities and a vision for the future.

Beldona (whose first name is pronounced "Shree") officially took the helm of the College on July 1. He comes to Michigan Tech from East Texas A&M University's Dallas location, where he served as chief academic officer and special assistant to the president. There, he pioneered programs including Executives in Residence, a classroom-to-boardroom experience that pairs accomplished leaders and entrepreneurs with students, helping them gain insight and skills related to their chosen career fields. Beldona's academic career also includes serving as associate dean for academic affairs in the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business at the University of Dallas and as dean of the Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University. His industry experience includes more than a decade as a consultant specializing in consumer behavior research and statistical analysis and reporting related to product introductions, package design, demand estimations and other facets of the field.

In the midst of getting acquainted with his new community — from campus colleagues to Keweenaw Peninsula trails — Beldona shares in a Michigan Tech News Q&A what brought him to Tech and lays out a pathway forward for the College.

Q: You recently arrived on campus. What's your initial impression — and how does it differ from your first visit in late January?

SB: My first visit in January introduced me to Michigan Tech's incredible people and culture — but it was covered in snow! A lot of snow. It actually reminded me of my many visits to Finland in December, where I taught short courses as a visiting faculty member at Aalto University's Mikkeli campus. Arriving in the summer has given me a completely different perspective. The beauty of the Keweenaw is remarkable, and I've really enjoyed getting out on the hiking trails and exploring the area. I'm also looking forward to learning more about the region's Finnish heritage and the traditions that make this community so unique.

Q: What attracted you to Michigan Tech and the College of Business? What most excites you about this new opportunity?

SB: Michigan Tech has a well-earned reputation for excellence in STEM, innovation and solving real-world problems. What excited me most was the opportunity to position the College of Business as a strategic partner in that mission — bringing together technology, business and leadership to prepare graduates who can create meaningful impact in industry and society. I see tremendous opportunities to build on the College's strengths while creating even stronger connections across the University.

Q: You're an engineer with both marketing and international business expertise in industry and academia. What led you to pursue work and research in these seemingly diverse fields? How will you leverage this combination of knowledge, skill and mindset to advance initiatives in the College of Business and the University as a whole?

SB: I've always been fascinated by the idea that technical innovation creates value only when people adopt it. That curiosity led me from engineering into marketing and international business. Looking back, those experiences fit together naturally. They allow me to connect technical disciplines with business strategy, industry partnerships and global opportunities — an approach that aligns well with Michigan Tech's strengths and future aspirations.

Q: Your vision for the College of Business at Michigan Tech positions it as a connector between STEM, industry and society. Can you tell us more about that?

SB: Business is often where great ideas become real-world impact. I see the College serving as a bridge that connects faculty, students and industry partners across the University. Programs like Executives in Residence illustrate how experienced leaders can mentor students, enrich the classroom and strengthen the connection between education, research and practice. That's the kind of ecosystem I hope we continue to build.

Q: Can you share some preliminary thoughts on your goal to strengthen joint programs and interdisciplinary teaching and research?

SB: One of Michigan Tech's greatest strengths is the depth of expertise across its colleges. I believe we have tremendous opportunities to expand interdisciplinary programs that combine business with engineering, computing, health, natural resources and other fields. We already see the success of this approach in programs like the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management. With the College of Business and the College of Computing expected to share a new home in the University's planned Center for Convergence and Innovation in the coming years, I see even greater opportunities for collaboration in teaching, research and innovation.

Q: You've talked about the College's shared ownership of innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization endeavors at Tech. What does that look like?

SB: Innovation doesn't end with discovery — it reaches its full potential when ideas become tangible products, successful companies and solutions that improve lives. The College of Business brings expertise in entrepreneurship, market analysis, finance, strategy and commercialization. Working alongside colleagues across the University, we can help move promising ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace, where they can create lasting economic and societal impact.

Q: You've emphasized the importance of establishing and maintaining close relationships with alumni. What are some ways you plan to do that?

SB: Our alumni are among the College's greatest strengths. I want to spend time listening to their experiences, learning from their perspectives and finding meaningful ways for them to stay engaged — as mentors, guest speakers, advisory board members, internship partners and champions for Michigan Tech. Strong alumni relationships enrich the student experience and strengthen the future of the College.

Q: Your administrative philosophy of being mission-driven, student-centered and outcome-focused points to faculty and staff success as foundational to student success. How so?

SB: Faculty and staff create the environment where students learn, grow and succeed. My role is to remove barriers, provide support and create opportunities for them to do their best work. When our faculty and staff are successful, our students benefit — and that's ultimately why we're here.

Q: Besides campus, where's your happy place in the Keweenaw?

SB: Right now, it's the hiking trails. My wife and I have been exploring the Keweenaw one trail at a time, and we've fallen in love with the area's forests, lakes and waterfalls. It's a beautiful place to disconnect, recharge and appreciate everything this region has to offer.

Q: What else do you like to do in your free time?

SB: I also enjoy traveling and spending time with my family. Every now and then I also like a little adrenaline — I've done tandem skydiving and bungee jumping, and I'd happily do both again. More recently, I've developed an interest in astronomy, and I'm looking forward to taking advantage of the Keweenaw's dark skies to learn more about the night sky.

Q: Anything else you'd like to add?

SB: I'm incredibly grateful for the warm welcome I've received from the Michigan Tech community. This is a special place with exceptional people, and I feel fortunate to be part of it. I'm excited to listen, learn and work alongside our faculty, staff, students, alumni and industry partners as we build on the College's many strengths and shape its next chapter together.

Michigan Technological University is an R1 public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan's flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, computing, forestry, business, health professions, robotics, psychology, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.