Calling it the right time for him, his family and the college, Anil Makhija announced his intention to step down as dean of the Max M. Fisher College of Business at the end of the academic year.

The announcement caps a 10-year tenure during which Makhija led the college through transformational change in a wide range of areas, including enrollment growth, program innovation, faculty hiring and research prowess, and fiscal stewardship.

“Ten years ago, I had the incredible fortune of being chosen to serve as dean of our great college,” Makhija said. “It was — and still is — humbling to look back and to recognize what that opportunity represented: a chance to build on the legacy of leadership that has established Fisher College of Business as one of the top educational institutions in the world.”

“After thoughtful consideration and many conversations, I believe the time is right for that opportunity to be afforded once again.”

Makhija, who also holds the John W. Berry, Sr. Chair in Business, will return to the Department of Finance faculty, where he looks forward to spending more time in the classroom as an instructor while also focusing on research.

In a message to the Ohio State community, Provost Melissa Gilliam praised Makhija’s “transformational service and leadership” and highlighted a number of his broad achievements as dean:

• Since 2015, Fisher’s faculty has grown by more than 25%, and research expenditures have increased a 75%
• Fisher’s research productivity and undergraduate program are regularly recognized nationally in the top 10 among public universities
• Fisher has also seen more than 25% growth in its undergraduate and graduate student enrollment since 2014

Other areas of notable achievement include the creation and redesign of degree and non-degree programs designed to meet the needs of professionals and the marketplace, expansion of Fisher’s curriculum delivery models, growth of the college’s portfolio of partners and recruiters, strong fiscal stewardship and advancement efforts, and a focus on Fisher as a broadly diverse and inclusive community of students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends.

“As a college community, we have generated incredible momentum throughout the past decade,” Makhija said. “From launching new degrees and programs, to expanding experiential learning opportunities, to establishing Fisher as a research powerhouse, I step aside knowing full well that the hard work and passion that made these accomplishments possible will continue to serve and benefit our global community of Business Buckeyes.”

The college will celebrate Makhija’s legacy of leadership and impact in business education at Ohio State throughout the coming months while a national search for his successor is launched.