Leadership is their Business

The Dyson School administration—including our deans, program directors, and area coordinators—are renowned experts and industry-leading professionals. Together, with the rest of the Dyson faculty and staff, our leadership team guides our students through enriching academic experiences and into successful careers of doing business for good.


Dean Zhao standing on the stairs inside Warren Hall.

Meet Dean Jinhua Zhao: The Business of Generating Ideas

Jinhua Zhao is a strong believer in collective excellence. Collaboration and inclusion, he says, are essential to generating ideas, expanding frontiers, and training future leaders. Passionate about using business skills to solve society’s most pressing issues, Zhao’s research interests include global climate change and technology adoption.

Learn More About Dean Zhao

The Dyson School Code of Culture

“Our Business is a Better World” means:

  • Excellence: We reach for the highest standards of learning, working, and contributing to the world.
  • Respect: We create a community where everyone can thrive and do their best work.
  • Responsibility: Our reputation rests on our integrity.

This motto guides the actions of our school community. We learn respectfully, collaborate responsibly, and act ethically in all that we do.

Learn Respectfully

The Dyson School is first an educational community. Diverse perspectives, differences of opinion, and lively debate are encouraged but always accompanied by active listening, dialogue, and respect for others.

Collaborate Responsibly

Dyson School students work collaboratively, assist others, and ask for help when needed. Competition can elevate our performance, but only if it is fair and friendly.

Act Ethically

At the Dyson School, we are truthful and transparent in all things.
We uphold the Cornell Academic Integrity Code and the University Code of Student Conduct.


Students sit in a tiered lecture hall listening to a professor.

Innovation Takes Inclusion: Diversity at Dyson

Innovation happens when everyone’s ideas are heard, valued, and supported. Dyson embraces the diversity of faculty, staff, and students across the school, the College of Business, and the greater Cornell community. A range of enriching events, programs, and resources help foster a culture of belonging and develop principled and purposeful leaders.

See our Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Advisory Councils: Voices & Perspectives from the Cornell and Business Community

Our advisory councils strengthen academics, expand internship and career opportunities, and deepen our connection with the business community at large by bringing in diverse perspectives from students, alumni, and industry professionals.

 Ariel image of Warren Hall and the Ag quad.

Dyson Executive Committee

The Dyson Executive Committee consists of academic leaders from the school who work collaboratively with the dean and the faculty body to innovate coursework, lead, and intellectually challenge students through rigorous courses and educational experiences.

Dyson Staff Leadership

The Dyson Staff Leadership Team is a dynamic group of professionals from the school and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. Selected by the dean, these individuals have a vested interest in the operational and programmatic management of the school and work to ensure that the Dyson School is an organizational masterpiece.

Dean’s Student Advisory Council (DSAC)

This team of undergraduate students was established in Spring 2022 with the express purpose of advising the Dyson Dean and other school leaders on the issues that matter most to our undergraduate student body. The members of Dean’s Student Advisory Council purposefully span class years, backgrounds, and interests to best represent the variety within the Dyson student body as a whole.

Dyson Advisory Council

The Dyson Advisory Council is comprised of alumni, employers, parents, friends, and other business leaders use their professional experience to guide and support Dyson academics, career development, fundraising, and overall strategy.

Dyson Recent Alumni Council (DRAC)

Alumni provide critical input to the school. The Dyson Recent Alumni Council, made up of alumni who’ve graduated within the past 10 years, advises school leaders, mentors students, provides admissions and recruitment guidance, and contributes to fundraising and inclusion efforts.

Agribusiness Advisory Council

Members of the Agribusiness Advisory Council hail from a variety of farms, companies, trade organizations, financial institutions, and government agencies. They use their business acumen and expertise in food and agriculture to guide coursework and career development.


The Latest from Dyson: News, Stories & Announcements

Dyson faculty, staff, students, and alumni use their knowledge, skills, and creativity to solve real-world problems locally, nationally, and globally. Read about the collaboration, innovation, service, and more happening at Dyson and beyond.

A woman standing at a podium in front of a classroom of students, speaking, smiling, and gesturing with one hand.
December 4, 2024

Gretchen McCarthy Tells Students: Sustainability Is Part of Target’s Core Strategy

The chief supply chain and logistics officer discussed how her team at Target is reducing the company’s greenhouse gas emissions.

A man in front of a lecture hall speaking ino a microphone and gesturing.
November 6, 2024

Grasslands Are Invaluable for Capturing Carbon, Says James Clement III

America’s grasslands protect carbon better than trees, which are declining in number due to forest fires, drought, and climate change, says Clement.

Photo of hands holding apples above a bushel basket.
October 4, 2024

Messaging May Overcome Bias Against Gene-Edited Foods

Consumers are less resistant to gene-edited ingredients when they learn about the technology's health and environmental benefits.


Grow Your (Social) Network: Interact With Dyson

See the Dyson community making the world a better place in real-time by following us on Instagram. On LinkedIn, gain practical business insight, find career tips and opportunities, and connect with Dyson alumni and partners.