Correction: 8:27 a.m. June 11, updated academic credentials to reflect AP Style.

La Verne resident and Cal Poly Pomona dean Sandeep Krishnamurthy, Ph.D., is helping shape how students prepare for an AI-driven economy. Los Angeles business leaders are taking notice.

Krishnamurthy, dean of the College of Business Administration and
Singelyn Graduate School of Business at Cal Poly Pomona, was named to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s LA500 list for the second consecutive year on May 11. He was recognized, in part, for launching Cal Poly Pomona’s new Tarkington Business Futures Institute, a multidisciplinary hub focused on artificial intelligence, business and emerging technologies.

The Tarkington Business Futures Institute, launched March 11, is a multidisciplinary institute focused on research involving artificial intelligence, business, technology and global markets.

Pia Gupta, Ph.D., associate dean for student success in the College of Business Administration, works with Krishnamurthy to expand access to mentorship, career preparation, and internships. “Dean Krishnamurthy's vision has always been clear–business education should connect students to prosperous futures and empower them to succeed,” Gupta said.

Gupta said Krishnamurthy’s inclusion in the LA500 reflects his impact on student success. “What stands out the most is that Dean Krishnamurthy is both visionary and action-oriented,” she said. “His leadership has focused on building stronger bridges between students and the industries that need their talent.”

Anthony Orlando, Ph.D., associate professor and Tarkington Family Endowed Chair Director, has worked closely with Krishnamurthy since he arrived at Cal Poly Pomona in 2023.

Orlando said the launch of the Tarkington Business Futures Institute is a prime example of Krishnamurthy’s leadership at the university.

“We are bringing together more interdisciplinary strands of expertise than we have ever housed at the College of Business Administration,” Orlando explained. “The Tarkington Business Futures Institute is designed to partner with business, to inform business, to learn from business and to change the trajectory of business—especially local business—for the better.”

Krishnamurthy is the first Singelyn Family Dean of the College of Business Administration and the Singelyn Graduate School of Business at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, which serves more than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Before joining Cal Poly Pomona, he spent nearly 20 years as founding dean of the School of Business at the University of Washington Bothell, where he developed interdisciplinary programs, including a PharmD-MBA pathway. A published author, his research focuses on game theory and how corporations collaborate and compete.

Orlando said Cal Poly Pomona has strengthened its ties to the surrounding community through financial literacy workshops and partnerships with local businesses.

Krishnamurthy described his leadership style as action-oriented, impact-driven and collaborative. “I galvanize organizations,” Krishnamurthy said, noting the importance of seeing the person behind every role.

He said many business students are facing uncertainty about securing their economic future in a rapidly changing world. To help prepare them, he focuses on building confidence through a “learning by doing” approach and encouraging students to become fluent in artificial intelligence.

“Start your own side hustles, or micro businesses to earn money,” he said. “Learn from your experiences. Always help others.”

Krishnamurthy said he enjoys connecting with students through clubs, organizations and competitions.“I am famous for doing push-ups to celebrate donations to student causes,” he said.

Krishnamurthy said he is proud to represent the La Verne community and its welcoming culture, which aligns with his personal ethos.

“It is a noble way of leading one’s life. What can be better than uplifting others? What better way to do it than education?” he said.