Wichita State has named Larisa Genin (pronounced JENN-IN, according to a university release) as the next dean of the W. Frank Barton School of Business. Genin, current dean of the School of Economics and Business Administration at Saint Mary’s College of California, will take over for Dean Anand Desai on June 17.

Provost Rick Muma made the hire.

“In Dr. Genin’s visits to Wichita this spring, and in discussions with those who have worked with her, we were impressed with her accomplishments, strategic approach, focus on student success, communication skills and vision for the Barton School,” Muma said in the release.

“Faculty, staff, students and members of the business community who met her thought she would be an excellent fit for the university and the city.”

Muma said a top priority for Genin will be “connecting the Barton School’s faculty and staff to WSU’s focus as an urban public research university by increasing enrollment opportunities and helping business and industry solve some of their most pressing issues.”

Desai, who came to Wichita State in 2015, announced his retirement last October. According  to the release, Desai has spent 25 years in the Kansas public university system.