For our Inspirational Women Shaping The Future Of Business Education series we speak with Priya Kannan, Dean of Lucas College & Graduate School of Business, San Jose State University

• Name: Rangapriya (Priya) Kannan 
• Job title: Dean  
• Institution: Lucas College & Graduate School of Business, San Jose State University 

Rangapriya (Priya) Kannan is the Dean of San José State University’s (SJSU) Lucas College & Graduate School of Business where she leads over 7000 students.  

Before joining SJSU, she was the Associate Dean and inaugural department chair of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship, International Business & Interdisciplinary Studies (i3) Department at the University of San Diego’s (USD) Knauss School of Business, where she also founded The CatalyZer, an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center. Priya is an honorary research professor at the University of Exeter Business School, one of the UK’s top institutions. 

With industry experience in India and Silicon Valley, Priya is an expert in strategic change, interdisciplinary program design, and creating inclusive workspaces. Her research has been featured in leading journals such as; Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Organization Studies, Journal of Business Research, and Journal of Business Ethics. 

Priya has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to education, earning numerous accolades such as Professor of Impact, USD’s Clarence Steber Endowed Professorship, Poets & Quants’ Top 50 Undergraduate Business Professors, San Diego’s Top Influential Leaders and San Diego Businesswoman of the Year. She holds a PhD from UCLA Anderson School of Management, Masters from San Jose State University and from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. During her sabbatical, she was a visiting research fellow at Cambridge Judge Business School. 

Why do you work in education?  

Education is my passion and my calling. As a professor, I loved conducting original research and witnessing the spark in students’ eyes when they grasped a new idea. As an academic leader, I find deep fulfillment in envisioning possibilities beyond constraints-seeing what can be, even in the face of challenges. 

At Lucas College, over 43% of our students are first-generation, and over 80% come from diverse backgrounds. They are resilient, ambitious, and among the most highly regarded employees in the industry. Helping our students go from self-doubt and aspiration to achievement-creating opportunities where few existed-is what inspires me to wake up every day. 

We are in an era of unprecedented disruption in education, and I embrace the challenge of evolving our offerings to match the dynamic needs of students and employers. Just as I once found joy in igniting curiosity in the classroom, I now find it in elevating institutions to create transformative learning experiences that empower the next generation of leaders. 

What’s the most rewarding part of your role? 

There are countless rewarding moments-both big and small-that make this journey meaningful. Seeing an idea evolve into a fully funded centre, like the USD Catalyzer, or watching a vision transform into action, as we’ve done with our latest rankings at Lucas College and our experiential career initiatives embraced by industry, is incredibly fulfilling. 

“Over time, I learned that leadership isn’t about perfectly fitting in-it’s about bridging gaps, staying open to learning, and bringing people together through shared purpose.” 

– Priya Kannan

But sometimes, the smallest moments carry the greatest impact-a note from a junior faculty member expressing appreciation, a student sharing how an initiative changed their career path, or a colleague finding new inspiration in their work. Higher education is challenging, and tough decisions must be made, often in the face of resistance and self-doubt. Yet, when you push through those moments and see real outcomes-when you know you’ve made your institution a better place-it makes every challenge worthwhile. 

The most rewarding part of my role is knowing that what we build today will create opportunities for generations to come. That’s what drives me every day. 

Please tell us about a challenge you’ve overcome to get to where you are today. What did you learn?  

As a first-generation immigrant, navigating cultural differences has been both a challenge and a journey of growth. I didn’t grow up playing baseball or watching soccer, yet I work with stakeholders who find deep connection in these traditions. Over time, I learned that leadership isn’t about perfectly fitting in-it’s about bridging gaps, staying open to learning, and bringing people together through shared purpose. 

But the greatest challenge wasn’t cultural-it was learning to let go of the need to make everyone happy. Many of us are raised to seek approval, to keep the peace, and to measure success by how well we meet others’ expectations. I had to unlearn that. True leadership isn’t about avoiding discomfort-it’s about making the right decisions, even when they are tough. 

For years, I thought being “nice” meant compromising to keep the peace. Now, I know that real impact comes from being real and kind. Being real means standing firm in my values and making decisions that elevate our college and our students. Being kind means leading with empathy while pushing for excellence. My purpose isn’t to please everyone-it’s to create opportunities where few existed, to inspire the next generation to dream bigger than they ever thought possible, to help our it’s to elevate our institution to be the best version of itself, and to empower those around me to do the same. 

Have you ever had a role model? If yes, who? And how have they impacted your career or outlook?  

I am fortunate to have had three extraordinary role models in my family who shaped my values and leadership philosophy. 

My father, a transformational leader who served on the board of a Fortune 200 company in India, inspired me with his vision and ability to turn around an organization. He worked 18-hour days, yet what stood out most was his unwavering commitment to integrity, compassion, and excellence-values that became the foundation of my own leadership journey. 

My mother, married at 17 without the opportunity to attend college, has faced life’s hardships with incredible strength. She taught me the power of forgiveness, resilience, and embracing life without rigid expectations. From her, I learned that leadership isn’t just about making tough decisions-it’s also about carrying grace through challenges and lifting others along the way. 

“Higher education is challenging, and tough decisions must be made, often in the face of resistance and self-doubt. Yet, when you push through those moments and see real outcomes-when you know you’ve made your institution a better place-it makes every challenge worthwhile.” 

– Priya Kannan

My grandmother was the quintessential entrepreneur-determined, fearless, and relentless in her pursuit of what she believed in. She never took no for an answer, always spoke her mind, and lived with uncompromising honesty. More than anything, she shaped my leadership journey by showing me that true leaders stand up for what is right, operate with resilience, and create opportunities where none existed before. 

Together, these three remarkable individuals instilled in me the courage to lead with conviction, the wisdom to navigate challenges with grace, and the strength to push boundaries without fear. Their lessons continue to inspire me every day as I work to break barriers, elevate others, and create meaningful change. 

What advice would you give to others to succeed in their careers?  

Pursue what fuels your soul-most people spend 50-70% of their lives at work, so don’t settle. Find a path that excites you, pushes you to grow, and gives you a sense of purpose. When you align passion with perseverance, success becomes inevitable.  

Find mentors who can help you along the way. Mentorship isn’t limited to just one person-you can have different mentors for different aspects of your career and life. Learning from the experiences of others can provide invaluable guidance and perspective. 

Be authentic-your uniqueness is your strength. Don’t be afraid to express your opinions, stand by your values, and bring your whole self to the table. 

Be kind-success is not just about what you achieve, but how you treat people along the way. True leadership comes from empowering others, not just climbing the ladder. 

Don’t take things personally-criticism, setbacks, and challenges are part of every journey. Learn from them, but don’t let them define you. One book that profoundly shaped my perspective is The Four Agreements. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, taken things personally, or felt the need to constantly seek approval, this book offers a transformative way to reclaim your confidence, set boundaries, and lead with authenticity. 

And finally, focus on the process, not just the outcome and give it your best. Many outcomes are beyond your control, but your effort, attitude, and integrity are always within your power. Do your best and trust that success will follow. If it fails know that it was not meant to be. One of my favourite quotes is – “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill 

Interested in this series? Keep reading…