Terry College management professor Michael D. Pfarrer has been named associate dean for research and graduate programs. He succeeds Marisa Pagnattaro, who was named UGA’s vice provost for academic affairs on Aug. 1.
In his new role, Pfarrer will oversee the Full-Time, Executive and Professional MBA programs as well as Ph.D. programs, the international business co-major and study abroad opportunities. He also will have an advisory role with the college’s specialized master’s programs and will lead strategic planning efforts for graduate education and research support.
“Dr. Pfarrer is absolutely the right person to continue the positive momentum for graduate education and the research enterprise at the Terry College,” said Dean Benjamin C. Ayers. “He brings an exceptional combination of research credentials, outstanding teaching experience and an extensive record of professional service to the academy.”
Pfarrer is a highly respected researcher who has published in the top management journals, including the Strategic Management Journal, Academy of Management Review,Academy of Management Journal, and Organization Science, among others. He serves on the editorial boards of the Academy of Management Journal and the Academy of Management Review, where he previously held the title associate editor.
Pfarrer’s research focuses on social perceptions of the firm and how the firm manages these perceptions to create value. His work has been highly lauded, receiving Best Paper awards from the Reputation Institute, the Oxford University Centre for Corporate Reputation and Organization Research Methods.
He is also a distinguished educator, having been named Terry’s Professional MBA Program Outstanding Professor in 2018 and 2019 and twice recognized as an outstanding teacher by the college. He has taught classes at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels.
Pfarrer joined the Terry College in 2009, following two years at the University of Denver and over a decade working as investment consultant in the U.S. and Europe. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, an MBA from the University of North Alabama and Ph.D. from the University of Maryland.